TikTok goes offline in US hours before new ban as Trump hints at announcement on app’s future during inauguration
Social media app TikTok stopped working across the US late on Saturday ahead of a new ban as Donald Trump hints at an announcement on the app’s future after he takes office.
Trump said he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after his inauguration.
When users in the US open the app now, they are hit with a notice that reads: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”
Even if only temporary, the banning of the app, owned by China’s ByteDance, will have a broad impact on US-China relations, US domestic politics, the social media marketplace and the millions of American citizens who depend on the app both socially and economically.
This is the first time the US government has banned a social media platform. The law gives Trump’s incoming administration sweeping authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps.
Other ByteDance-owned apps such as CapCut and Lemon8 were also unavailable on US app stores as of late Saturday.
Speaking to NBC, Trump said: “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
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Under the law passed by Congress last year and upheld on Friday by the Supreme Court, the platform had until January 19 to cut ties with Chinese ByteDance or shut down its US operation due to concerns it poses threats to national security.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Saturday that it was in the hands of the incoming administration to take action.
“We see 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.
The Chinese embassy in Washington accused the US of unfairly using state power to suppress the app, saying: “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
US-based users have been scrambling to find alternatives over the past few weeks, with many big accounts issuing good-bye statements on their TikTok accounts.
Younger users have began using China-based RedNote, and companies like Meta and Snap have seen their share prices skyrocket this month ahead of the ban.
VPNs have also risen in popularity, with popular company NordVPN saying it was experiencing “temporary technical difficulties”.
According to Google Trends, web searches for VPN spiked after users lost access to TikTok.
According to sources, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend the U.S. presidential inauguration as well as a rally with Trump on Sunday.
Users around America are hoping that TikTok will make a comeback under Trump, who said he is seeking a “political resolution” of the issue, after urging the Supreme Court to pause the implementation of the ban.