TikTok has gone offline in the United States just hours before a new law banning the platform was set to take effect, leaving millions of users without access to the popular video-sharing app.
A message displayed on the app informed users in the US that the ban had been enacted, stating, “You can’t use TikTok for now.”
The ban, prompted by concerns over TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government, required its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to an approved US buyer by January 19. Despite the deadline, ByteDance has not finalized a sale.
The issue has drawn high-level political attention. President Joe Biden previously deferred the matter to his successor, Donald Trump, who is set to assume office on Monday.
Trump indicated he is considering granting TikTok a 90-day reprieve.
“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,” Trump told NBC News on Saturday, according to the BBC.
On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld the April 2024 law banning TikTok unless ByteDance sold the platform.
The company argued the law infringes on free speech protections for its 170 million US users.
Following the ruling, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, expressed gratitude to Trump for his willingness to seek a resolution.
“Thank you for your commitment to work with us to find a solution,” Chew said.
