TikTok has achieved another legal victory in its challenge to the attempted ban imposed by the Trump administration on its video-sharing platform within the United States—more precisely, the TikTok user base has secured a win. A federal judge in Pennsylvania issued an injunction on Friday, preventing restrictions that would have otherwise prevented TikTok from functioning in the U.S. starting November 12.

This specific legal action wasn't initiated by TikTok directly, but by a collective of TikTok content creators who leverage the app to connect with their substantial followings, exceeding one million users each.

Court records indicate that plaintiff Douglas Marland boasts 2.7 million followers; Alec Chambers has 1.8 million followers; and Cosette Rinab commands an audience of 2.3 million. These creators successfully contended that a ban would result in the loss of access to their audiences, alongside the “professional prospects facilitated by TikTok.” Essentially, they would forfeit their brand partnerships—and consequently, their earnings.

This marks a repeat instance of U.S. courts ruling in favor of TikTok to obstruct the Trump administration’s proposed prohibition of the Chinese-owned video platform. Last month, a judge in Washington D.C. halted the ban that would have prevented the app’s listing in U.S. app stores operated by Apple and Google.

However, that earlier decision did not prevent the November 12 ban, which would have prohibited companies from supplying internet hosting services essential for TikTok’s continued operation in the U.S.

The Trump administration sought to block TikTok’s operation in the U.S. due to its parent company, ByteDance, based in China, asserting that it presented a national security risk. The judge’s central reasoning in this ruling was that the “Government’s own descriptions of the national security threat posed by the TikTok app are expressed in hypothetical terms.”

The government was unable to demonstrate that this hypothetical risk was significant enough to outweigh the public interest, the judge determined. This interest encompassed TikTok’s more than 100 million users and creators like Marland, Chambers, and Rinab, who utilize the platform to disseminate “informational materials,” leading the judge to conclude that the ban would suppress a venue for expressive communication.

“We are profoundly grateful for the tremendous support from our creators, who have dedicated themselves to safeguarding their rights to expression, their livelihoods, and the well-being of small businesses, particularly during the pandemic,” stated Vanessa Pappas, Interim Global Head of TikTok, in a public statement. “We firmly support our community as they share their perspectives, and we remain dedicated to providing a space for them to do so,” she continued.

The TikTok community’s proactive role in addressing this particular aspect of the broader TikTok situation underscores the significance of this story. While the company has maintained a relatively low profile throughout this process, Pappas has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the community’s unwavering support. Initial reactions of “concern” among creators, prompting recommendations to follow them on alternative platforms, have evolved into a spirit of “collective action.” This has manifested in a surge of voter advocacy on the platform, where many creators, though too young to vote, see promoting voting as their means of participation.

Throughout these challenges, TikTok has continued to develop its product offerings, releasing election guides and actively working to suppress the spread of QAnon conspiracy theories, even as Pakistan temporarily banned and then reinstated the app.