TikTok shuts down for US users ahead of Trump’s inauguration | News on social networks
Millions of TikTok users in the United States can no longer watch videos on the social media platform as a federal ban on the popular app takes effect.
A recently passed US law banning the use of the platform entered into force on Sunday, the day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The ban follows months of legal battles and heightened scrutiny of TikTok’s Chinese ownership.
“A law has been passed in the US that bans TikTok,” reads the message to users trying to use the app, which is used by 170 million Americans. “Unfortunately, this means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump said he was considering giving TikTok a 90-day extension that would allow them to continue operating. If such an extension happens, Trump – who once favored banning TikTok – said it would “probably” be announced on Monday, the day he is sworn in as president.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration with prime seating.
“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 app said in a message to US users. “Please stay with us!”
Friday is the US Supreme Court supported the law orders a ban on the app unless parent company ByteDance divests itself of TikTok’s US operations. The ruling marked a significant escalation in efforts to limit an app that officials say poses a threat to national security.
In court, the Biden administration defended the law citing concerns that TikTok collects large amounts of US user data, which the Chinese government could potentially access through coercion.
Officials also warned that Chinese authorities could manipulate the app’s algorithm, which determines what content users see, to influence the platform in subtle ways that are difficult to detect.
However, the US has yet to present public evidence showing that TikTok shared user data with Chinese authorities or changed its algorithm to serve Chinese interests.
ByteDance has denied any wrongdoing and has resisted calls to sell its US business, leaving the platform in limbo.
US law requires Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, blocking new downloads. Companies could face fines of up to $5,000 per user who can access the app.
Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, would also be legally bound to enforce the ban.
Meanwhile, US-based competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts will benefit from TikTok’s enforced absence.
Another Chinese platform, Xiaohongshu, which means Little Red Book, has gained popularity among American users, becoming the most downloaded app in Apple’s US store this week.
Several investors proposed last-minute solutions to keep TikTok operational.
Jeff Bezos-backed artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has filed a plan to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations to create a new entity, potentially allowing ByteDance to retain partial ownership, according to media reports.
Other bids, including a $20 billion bid from a consortium led by Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary and billionaire Frank McCourt, are still being considered.
Experts warn that even if Trump issues an executive order to delay the ban, he could face legal challenges.
“Congress wrote this law to make it virtually president-proof,” warned Adam Kovacevich, executive director of the industry trade group Chamber of Progress.
