TikTok has been taken offline in the United States, just hours before a new law banning the platform was set to take effect.
Users attempting to access the app were met with a notification stating that the ban had been enforced, adding, “You can’t use TikTok for now.” The message also mentioned, “We are optimistic that President Trump will collaborate with us to find a solution to reinstate TikTok once he assumes office.”
The shutdown comes after TikTok warned it would cease operations in the US on Sunday unless the Biden administration provided assurances that the ban would not be implemented.
President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he would “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day extension to avoid the ban once he officially takes office on Monday. Speaking to NBC News on Saturday, Trump said, “The 90-day extension is something that will most likely happen, as it’s the right thing to do. If I decide to proceed, I’ll announce it on Monday.”
Reports confirm that the app has been removed from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play in the US. Additionally, TikTok.com no longer displays videos for American users.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the decision to act now lies with the incoming administration. “We see no reason for TikTok or similar companies to take preemptive actions before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” she said in a statement.
Legal Battle and Reactions
The Supreme Court upheld a law passed in April last year requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by Sunday to avoid a ban. ByteDance has not complied with the directive.
TikTok has argued that the legislation infringes on the free speech rights of its 170 million US users. Following the court ruling, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew issued a direct appeal to Trump, thanking him for his willingness to work toward a resolution. Chew is expected to attend the inauguration on Monday.
In anticipation of the platform’s shutdown, content creators took to TikTok to bid farewell to their followers. Creator Nicole Bloomgarden expressed concern over the financial impact, stating that losing access to TikTok would significantly cut her income. Meanwhile, Erika Thompson highlighted the loss of educational content as a significant blow to the community.
Earlier on Saturday, TikTok displayed a message to US users warning that the law would make the platform “temporarily unavailable.” It assured users that efforts were underway to restore services as soon as possible.
The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with its fate resting in the hands of the incoming administration.
