TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, has restored its service in the United States just hours after it went dark due to a looming ban. The sudden reversal comes after President-elect Donald Trump issued an executive order delaying the ban, providing the necessary clarity and assurance to TikTok's service providers.

The ban, which was scheduled to take effect today, would have forced TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the app or face a complete shutdown in the US. The law also made it illegal for US companies to support the distribution, maintenance, or updating of the app. However, with President-elect Trump about to take office, officials from President Joe Biden's White House and the Department of Justice decided to leave the enforcement of the law to the Trump administration.

TikTok had warned that it would go dark if it didn't receive a "definitive statement" from the authorities, and indeed, the app stopped working last night and disappeared from the Apple and Google Play app stores. However, President-elect Trump's executive order, which aims to "confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order," provided the necessary reassurance for TikTok and its service providers.

In a statement, TikTok expressed its gratitude to President-elect Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance, allowing the app to restore its service. The company also stated its willingness to work with Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States. Interestingly, Trump's Sunday morning post suggested that his "initial thought" on a deal to keep TikTok operating in the US would involve "a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership."

The restoration of TikTok's service is a significant development, given the app's massive user base of over 170 million Americans and its importance to over 7 million small businesses. The app's disappearance had sparked widespread concern among users and businesses alike, and its return is likely to be met with relief.

The implications of Trump's executive order and TikTok's restoration of service are far-reaching. The move is likely to have significant implications for the tech industry, particularly in the realm of social media and online content distribution. It also raises questions about the role of government in regulating online platforms and the limits of executive power.

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: TikTok's return is a temporary reprieve, and the app's long-term future in the US remains uncertain. However, for now, users and businesses can breathe a sigh of relief as the popular app is back online, and the drama surrounding its ban has been put on hold.