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TikTok went offline in the United States late Saturday night, just hours before a nationwide ban was set to take effect.
The sudden shutdown, impacting 170 million American users, marks a dramatic development in the ongoing battle over the app’s future in the country.
Upon opening the app, users were greeted with a 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.”
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This unprecedented move follows a Supreme Court decision on Friday to uphold a ban enacted in April 2024, signed into law by President Joe Biden.
The legislation bars American companies from hosting or serving content for TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform to a U.S. or allied entity.
TikTok, however, hinted at a possible revival under the incoming Trump administration. A pop-up message within the app stated, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.”
In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, President-elect Trump suggested he might delay the ban for 90 days to explore potential solutions.
“The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done because it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump remarked, adding that he may announce his decision on Monday.
The blackout underscores the law’s immediate implications for service providers, including Apple, Google, and hosting companies, which face legal liabilities for continuing to support TikTok’s operations.
The app has already disappeared from app stores, and other ByteDance-owned platforms, like CapCut, have also gone offline.
The ban has sent shockwaves through TikTok’s user base, including influencers and small business owners who rely on the platform for income. Many expressed disappointment but remain hopeful for a resolution.
“I’m devastated,” said one creator. “This app has been my livelihood, but I hope something changes soon.”
Despite the mounting pressure, ByteDance has refused to sell TikTok.
The company argues that its popularity among U.S. users and its role in supporting small businesses should allow it to operate without a change in ownership.
TikTok employees were also informed of the situation in an internal memo. “We know this is disappointing for you not only as employees but also as users. However, we are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us,” the message read.
The Biden administration has deferred enforcement of the ban, leaving its implementation to the Trump administration.
However, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain firm in their concerns about TikTok’s ties to China and potential risks to national security.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas tweeted, “ByteDance and its Chinese Communist masters had nine months to sell TikTok before the Sunday deadline. The fact that Communist China refuses to permit its sale reveals exactly what TikTok is: a communist spy app.”
While ByteDance faces mounting pressure, analysts predict that TikTok may ultimately find a way to remain operational in the U.S. LightShed Partners’ Richard Greenfield speculated that a resolution is likely, noting ByteDance’s ongoing talks with potential buyers.
One such bidder, Perplexity AI, has reportedly submitted a proposal to merge with TikTok.
As the Trump administration takes over, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain but hopeful. For now, users will have to wait and see if the app’s blackout is temporary or the start of a new chapter in the platform’s contentious journey in the U.S.
