SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — TikTok restored its service on Sunday after a temporary shutdown Saturday night that left 170 million American users unable to access the app. The outage also disrupted many influencers who rely on the platform for their livelihoods.

San Francisco content creator Anna Brown, known to her 2.4 million TikTok followers as “AnnaTwinsies,” says the ban was worrisome. Her content often shows her daily life with her two sets of twins.

Brown tells ABC7 News she earns between $5,000 and $20,000 per branded post and 90% of her income comes from TikTok.

“The last couple of weeks, everyone has been talking about it,” Brown said. “But I was literally thinking they will figure something out to prevent it. Some say maybe a VPN will work, or you could have someone abroad manage the account, but no one for sure knows what’s going to happen.”

TikTok thanks Trump after it begins restoring service to US users

Brown noted that she has a backup plan if TikTok becomes unavailable.

“Luckily for me, my Instagram account started taking off this year,” she said. A check of her Instagram shows over one million followers. “I would probably be able to make it without TikTok.”

TikTok released a statement thanking former President Donald Trump, who is expected to issue an executive order delaying any potential ban for 90 days. However, the details of such an order remain unclear. The law allows for a president to do that as long as Tiktok’s Chinese owners are in the process of selling. But parent company ByteDance has said it will not sell.

Trump previously issued an executive order in 2020 aiming to remove TikTok from U.S. app stores, citing national security concerns.

On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, thousands gathered at Civic Center Plaza in front of San Francisco City Hall on Sunday, vowing to resist.  

But unlike the mass demonstrations that accompanied Trump’s first term in office — the largest in U.S. history, which brought out millions of ordinary Americans less accustomed to taking streets — Sunday’s march was led by socialist groups and featured a hodgepodge of leftist issues. 

Speakers led “Free Palestine” chants, railed against deportations, and even called for a unified Korea without U.S military bases. Trump was a through line, but not always the focus of the march.

The many in the Bay Area who voted against Trump, for the most part, stayed home. Although it did draw more people than Saturday’s march focused on immigrant and reproductive rights as well as climate change.  

“We come together, as we always do, when there’s a heightened threat of more war, poverty, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia and environmental destruction” said Ramsey Robinson, who spoke on behalf of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. “We fight back,” he added.  

The rally was organized by a coalition of leftist organizations, including Mission Advocates, the Colectiva de Mujeres, and unions including the United Educators of San Francisco and Unite Here Local 2, the hospitality workers’ union. 

Speakers voiced their concerns for issues beyond concerns about Trump: namely, climate change, the Israeli occupation in Palestine and immigrants’ and workers’ rights. 

“We know that the cease fire is the bare minimum, and we know that the fight ahead is long,” said a speaker for the Palestinian Youth Movement.“It is only just beginning, and we need to continue to show up for Palestine.” 

Most participants who spoke to Mission Local were involved in activism and organizing in some capacity; few were attending a protest for the first time. While at least hundreds attended, the size crowd was a far cry from the protests that took over the city in 2016 when Trump was first elected. 

“I wish there were more [people]” said Jason Capili. “I feel like more people are resigned. It’s worrisome because this time we need to get up twice as hard.” 

Others shared the same sentiment.

“Some people are fired up,” said Donna Wallach, a participant who traveled from San Jose to attend the rally. “Others feel hopeless and powerless,” she added.  

Greg Shore, another participant, echoed the same concern that some people are more complacent now. 77 million people voted for Trump, he said, “It’s beyond comprehension.” 

Bao, another participant who happened to stumble upon the event while heading to the library, was concerned about how voters are informing themselves. Trump is a convicted felon, they said. “Did people know? If they did, then all hope is lost right?” they added. 

Bao decided to pick up a sign advocating for reproductive and trans rights. “Let’s keep protesting,” they said. 

The rally eventually mobilized and marched down Market Street, chanting. “When people’s rights are under attack, what do we do?” speakers shouted over the microphone. “Fight back” the crowd cheered.

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Malik Thomas had 24 points in San Francisco’s 81-70 win against Oregon State on Saturday night

Thomas shot 8 for 11 (4 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Dons (16-5, 6-2 West Coast Conference). Marcus Williams added 21 points while shooting 8 for 12, including 4 for 5 from beyond the arc while he also had five assists. Tyrone Riley IV shot 4 of 5 from the field, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 6 from the line to finish with 15 points.

The Beavers (14-6, 4-3) were led by Michael Rataj, who posted 18 points, six rebounds and two steals. Damarco Minor added 12 points and six rebounds for Oregon State. Parsa Fallah had nine points.

San Francisco took the lead with 8:05 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Thomas scored 14 points in the first half to help put the Dons ahead 43-34 at the break. San Francisco turned a 10-point second-half lead into a 19-point advantage with a 9-0 run to make it a 61-42 lead with 12:11 left in the half. Riley scored 11 second-half points in the win.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.