In a dramatic turn of events, TikTok shut down its operations in the United States late Saturday night, just hours before a federal ban was set to take hold. This unprecedented move cut off access to the popular social media platform, affecting its 170 million American users.
Users attempting to log in were greeted with a stark message:
“Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The shutdown follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to uphold a bipartisan-backed ban signed into law by President Joe Biden in April. The legislation prohibits American companies from hosting content for TikTok unless the Chinese-owned app is sold to a U.S.-based firm or a trusted ally.
Trump to the Rescue?
Despite the shutdown, TikTok hinted at a potential return as early as Monday, fueled by optimism around President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on the matter.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the company announced in a pop-up message to users.
In a Saturday interview with Journalists, Trump indicated that he might grant a 90-day delay on the ban, although a final decision is expected by Monday.
“The 90-day extension is likely because it’s appropriate. We need to evaluate this carefully. It’s a big deal,” Trump noted.
TikTok’s abrupt shutdown, followed by a glimmer of hope for reinstatement, is the latest twist in a saga that has kept its fate in the balance for months.
App Store Fallout
In addition to TikTok’s disappearance, other apps under ByteDance, including the video editor CapCut, displayed similar shutdown messages. Tech giants like Apple and Google, concerned about potential legal consequences, began removing TikTok from their app stores ahead of the ban’s implementation.
Lawmakers have long voiced concerns about TikTok’s data practices and its ties to China, citing national security risks. While influencers and small business owners who depend on the platform expressed dismay, many held onto hope for a last-minute reprieve — hopes dashed by the Supreme Court’s unanimous 9-0 ruling.
Trump: From Critic to Savior
Once a vocal opponent of TikTok, Trump’s recent actions paint him as the platform’s unlikely champion. Earlier this month, he highlighted his own popularity on TikTok via his Truth Social account, rhetorically asking, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?”
Behind the scenes, TikTok CEO Shou Chew reportedly met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in recent weeks and plans to attend his inauguration on Monday.
ByteDance Stands Firm
Despite mounting pressure, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has resisted offers from potential U.S. buyers, citing the app’s immense popularity and economic value for American users. ByteDance has rejected the notion that its sale is necessary to operate within the U.S. market.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre signaled that President Biden’s administration would leave the ban’s enforcement to his successor. “Implementation falls to the next administration,” she stated.
However, TikTok acted preemptively, fearing liability for service providers like Apple and Google, which risk heavy fines for continued operations. This uncertainty forced the platform to voluntarily suspend access.
Political Tug-of-War
The TikTok ban remains a polarizing issue. Republican Senators Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton are vocal advocates for its enforcement.
“ByteDance had nine months to sell TikTok. Their refusal reveals TikTok for what it truly is: a communist spy app,” Cotton declared on X.
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Analysts like Richard Greenfield of LightShed Partners believe TikTok will ultimately find a way to remain operational in the U.S. Perplexity AI, an AI search engine startup, confirmed its interest in merging with TikTok, offering another potential lifeline for the embattled app.
What’s Next?
With the ban taking center stage, the coming days will be pivotal. Trump’s anticipated executive order could provide a temporary reprieve, buying time for negotiations. Until then, the TikTok saga remains one of the most contentious and closely watched tech battles of recent years.