TikTok Restores Service, Thanks Trump

In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
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TikTok Restores Service, Thanks Trump

In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
In this photo illustration an iPhone displays a popup message on the social media platform TikTok on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)

TikTok said on Sunday said it was restoring its service after President-elect Donald Trump said he would revive the app's access in the US when he returns to power on Monday.

The statement came after US users reported being able to access the Chinese-owned service's website while the far more widely used TikTok app itself did not appear to be immediately available.

"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," TikTok said in a statement that thanked Trump for "providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties (for) providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive."

TikTok stopped working for its 170 million American users late on Saturday before a law shutting it down on national security grounds took effect on Sunday. US officials had warned that under Chinese parent company ByteDance, there was a risk of Americans' data being misused.

Trump said he would "extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security."

"I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture," he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the executive order would specify there would be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before his order.

Trump had earlier said he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users on the app.

"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned," a message notified users of TikTok, which disappeared from Apple and Google app stores late on Saturday.

Even if temporary, the unprecedented shutdown of TikTok is set to have a wide-ranging impact on US-China relations, US politics, the social media marketplace and millions of Americans who depend on the app economically and culturally.



Apple Sidelines AI News Summaries Due to Errors

New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
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Apple Sidelines AI News Summaries Due to Errors

New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Apple pushed out a software update on Thursday which disabled news headlines and summaries generated using artificial intelligence that were lambasted for getting facts wrong.
The move by the tech titan comes as it enhances its latest lineup of devices with "Apple Intelligence" in a market keen for assurance that the iPhone maker is a contender in the AI race, AFP said.
Apple's decision to temporarily disable the recently launched AI feature comes after the BBC and other news organizations complained that users were getting mistake-riddled or outright wrong headlines or news summary alerts.
Apple deployed the update to developers working with a beta version of its software, sidelining the AI feature for news headlines.
The tech giant plans to restore the feature when it is working properly and eventually roll it out to all users.
Apple in June of last year unveiled new iPhones built with generative AI as it seeks to boost sales and show it is keeping up in the technological arms race.
The company has a lot riding on the new iPhone 16 and hopes that customers are attracted to buy the latest models by its new AI powers.
"We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence and its breakthrough capabilities," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said at an event at the iPhone-maker's Silicon Valley headquarters.
"Apple Intelligence" is a new suite of software features for all devices that was announced at the company's annual developers conference, where it also announced a partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
In the short-term, the new powers include AI-infused image editing, translation, and small, creative touches in messaging, but not more ambitious breakthroughs promised by other AI players, such as OpenAI or Google.
The features are similar to tools recently released by Meta, Microsoft and Google, which can produce well-crafted content simply by querying in everyday language.
Google last year released AI-infused Pixel 9 smartphones, its challenge to the iPhone.

Pixel phomes account for a tiny sliver of the global smartphone market dominated by Samsung and Apple, but Google argued its new line is a chance to answer what -- after all the hype -- AI can actually do for customers.
Samsung has also showcased AI across its line, and is expected to unveil a new flagship Galaxy smartphone at an event next week in Silicon Valley.