TikTok users in the United States lost access to the popular video-sharing app late Saturday, just before a nationwide ban came into force. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a law citing national security concerns, which requires the app's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to non-Chinese owners.
“Due to this law, TikTok is no longer accessible in the U.S. for now,” the platform notified users attempting to log in. The message expressed hope for a solution under President-elect Donald Trump, who has signaled support for reinstating the app.
After discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump suggested he might implement a 90-day delay to allow negotiations. “The 90-day extension is likely to happen because it’s appropriate,” he told NBC News, hinting at a potential announcement on Monday after his inauguration.
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration declined to intervene, leaving the matter to Trump’s incoming team. Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Chew thanked Trump for his willingness to work toward a resolution, stating, “President Trump understands the value of our platform.”
Legal Challenges and Fallout
The law requires tech giants Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores. Hosting provider Oracle would also be compelled to block access to the platform. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $5,000 per user.
Several last-minute proposals aimed to save TikTok from the ban. Perplexity AI, a startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, offered a merger with TikTok’s U.S. subsidiary, a deal valued at over $50 billion. Other offers included a $20 billion bid led by Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary and former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.
Despite these efforts, legal experts warn that the law is designed to limit presidential influence. "Congress crafted this legislation to withstand executive interference," said Adam Kovacevich, head of the Chamber of Progress.
Rivals Gain Ground
As TikTok shuts down, competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are expected to gain users. Meanwhile, many TikTok fans have migrated to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese app similar to Instagram, which became the top download on the U.S. Apple Store this week.
TikTok's future in the U.S. now hinges on the Trump administration's ability to broker a deal or secure a delay.
