TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform owned by China-based ByteDance, became inaccessible in the United States late Saturday night, vanishing from Apple and Google app stores as a new law requiring its shutdown took effect. The app, with an estimated 170 million U.S. users, displayed a message to those attempting access:
"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 he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned."
President-elect Donald Trump had earlier signaled a potential 90-day extension for TikTok’s operations, pending a review of the ban. In a statement to NBC, he said, “The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done because it’s appropriate. If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
Legal and Political Background
The shutdown follows a law passed last year and recently upheld by the Supreme Court, mandating TikTok sever ties with its China-based parent company or cease U.S. operations, citing national security concerns. ByteDance also saw its other apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, removed from U.S. app stores on Saturday.
The Biden administration reiterated that future decisions on TikTok’s fate lie with the incoming government. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday.”
The Chinese Embassy in Washington condemned the ban, accusing the U.S. of misusing state power to suppress TikTok. A spokesperson added, “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
Impact on Users and Businesses
The abrupt ban has disrupted millions of users, many of whom rely on TikTok for entertainment, community, and e-commerce. Concerns about pending purchases from TikTok Shop, the platform’s e-commerce branch, have surfaced on social media.
Simultaneously, competitors like Meta and Snap have seen their stock prices rise amid speculation of user and advertiser migrations. Emerging platforms, such as RedNote, have also gained traction, with some TikTok users referring to themselves as “TikTok refugees” in posts.
Web searches for virtual private networks (VPNs) spiked immediately after the ban, as users sought ways to bypass restrictions. However, VPN provider NordVPN reported “temporary technical difficulties” amid the surge in demand.
Future Prospects
While TikTok’s future remains uncertain, negotiations and proposals to maintain its U.S. operations persist. Reports suggest interest from notable figures, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, as well as Elon Musk, although ByteDance has denied involvement in discussions with Musk.
Additionally, U.S.-based startup Perplexity AI reportedly submitted a bid on Saturday to merge with TikTok’s U.S. division and form a new entity with other partners. ByteDance, privately owned, counts major institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic among its stakeholders.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend the U.S. presidential inauguration and a rally with Trump on Sunday, a source told Reuters, signaling potential avenues for further dialogue.
The evolving situation underscores the tensions between the U.S. and China while leaving millions of American users and businesses in limbo
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