TikTok has gone offline in the United States, mere hours before a federal ban on the popular social media platform was set to take effect. Users attempting to access the app on Sunday were met with a message citing the enacted ban, which stated, “You can’t use TikTok for now.” The message expressed optimism about collaborating with President-elect Donald Trump to potentially reinstate the platform after his inauguration on Monday.
The ban comes as the result of a Supreme Court ruling upholding legislation that requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by Sunday. ByteDance has refused to comply, arguing that the law infringes on free speech protections for the app’s 170 million US users.
President-elect Trump has hinted at a possible 90-day extension to allow for further negotiations. Speaking on Saturday, he stated, “The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done, because it’s appropriate.” This reprieve could give TikTok and ByteDance more time to navigate the legal and political hurdles surrounding the ban.
Current White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that the final decision to enforce or delay the ban rests with the incoming Trump administration. “There is no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” she said.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has expressed gratitude to President-elect Trump for his willingness to seek a resolution. Chew, who is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, has vowed to “work tirelessly” to restore TikTok’s services in the United States.
The platform’s abrupt shutdown has left millions of users, including content creators, in distress. Influencer Nicole Bloomgarden, who relies on the platform for her earnings, described the ban as “devastating,” while Erika Thompson, a user known for her educational content, lamented the loss of access to resources for the TikTok community.
As of now, TikTok has been removed from Apple and Google’s app stores in the US, and its website no longer displays videos. In a brief statement, the platform assured its users that it is “working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible.”
The future of TikTok in the United States now hinges on President-elect Trump’s next moves, as millions of users and creators await a resolution.