TikTok Disappears From US Before Ban Takes Effect
TikTok went offline in the United States late on Saturday, hours before a law banning the app was set to take effect. The platform, used by 170 million Americans, disappeared from Apple and Google app stores, and users attempting to access it were met with a notification that the app was no longer operational.
The message on TikTok read: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. 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.”
The ban stems from a law passed last year, which required TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations by January 19 or face a shutdown. Lawmakers cited national security concerns over the app’s potential links to the Chinese government, an accusation TikTok has consistently denied.
President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday, stated he would “most likely” provide TikTok with a 90-day reprieve. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump said, adding he might confirm this decision on Monday.
TikTok’s removal has sparked significant backlash from creators and users. Some content creators shared emotional farewell videos, expressing concerns about the platform’s absence. Creator Nicole Bloomgarden noted that losing TikTok would cause her a “significant salary cut,” while Erika Thompson highlighted the loss of educational content as a major blow.
ByteDance’s other apps, including Capcut and Lemon8, were also unavailable in the US by Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Washington criticised the US government, accusing it of unfairly suppressing TikTok. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said.
The White House, however, placed the responsibility on the incoming administration to resolve the issue, increasing uncertainty over TikTok’s future.
