TikTok has ceased operations in the United States just hours before implementing a new law prohibiting the platform.
A notification displayed on the application for users in the United States indicated that a law prohibiting TikTok has been implemented, stating, “You can’t use TikTok for now.”
The video-sharing application was banned due to apprehensions regarding its connections to the Chinese government. Its sale to a sanctioned US buyer was scheduled for 19 January.
President Joe Biden said he would defer the matter to his successor, Donald Trump. Trump has indicated that he will “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban once he assumes office on Monday.
On Saturday, Trump expressed confidence in the likelihood of a 90-day extension, stating, “It’s appropriate,” during an interview with NBC News.
“Should I proceed with that decision, an announcement will likely be made on Monday.”
Reports indicate that the application has been removed from Apple and Google’s US app stores, and TikTok.com is currently not displaying any videos.
The message following the implementation of the ban stated, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will collaborate with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he assumes office. “
On Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed the legality of a law enacted in April of the previous year. The law prohibits the app’s operation in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, based in China, divests the platform by Sunday—a deadline that has now passed without action.
TikTok contends that the legislation infringes upon the free speech rights of its 170 million users nationwide.
Following the ruling, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, contacted Trump, expressing gratitude for his “commitment to work with us to find a solution.”
Mr. Chew is anticipated to be present at Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
In the final hours before the social media platform ceased operations, content creators posted farewell videos for their followers.
In an interview with the BBC, creator Nicole Bloomgarden expressed that her absence from TikTok could substantially reduce her earnings.
Erika Thompson expressed that the absence of educational content on the platform would represent the community’s “biggest loss.”
On Saturday, TikTok users encountered a notification stating that the new law would “force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.” The company is actively engaged in efforts to restore its service in the United States as soon as possible.
