By: CA Staff Writer | Jan 19, 2025
Millions of TikTok users across the United States found themselves locked out of the popular social media app on Saturday as a federal ban officially took effect. The app, known for its short-form videos and massive cultural influence, was removed from Apple and Google app stores, and users were met with a stark message upon opening the app:
“Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The ban follows the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to uphold a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a non-Chinese buyer or face a U.S. ban. TikTok, citing concerns from service providers about potential enforcement, voluntarily shut down in the U.S. ahead of the ban’s Sunday deadline.
President Biden’s administration has indicated it will defer enforcement of the law to the incoming Trump administration. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.
Despite this deferment, multiple critical service providers raised concerns to TikTok that the ban might still be enforced, prompting the app’s shutdown.
In a Saturday phone interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, President-elect Donald Trump said he is “most likely” to announce a 90-day reprieve for TikTok after taking office on Monday. The extension would give ByteDance additional time to comply with the law by selling the platform or finding another solution to avoid a permanent U.S. ban.
“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump said. While he hasn’t made a final decision, the move could be an attempt to win over TikTok’s massive American audience, particularly younger users. On Sunday, Trump further signaled his support for the app by posting “SAVE TIKTOK!” on his Truth Social account.
Trump’s stance represents a shift from his first term, during which he supported a TikTok ban. Last month, he asked the Supreme Court to stay the law, arguing that his incoming administration should have the opportunity to negotiate a deal to keep TikTok available to Americans. However, the court rejected his request, allowing the ban to proceed.
Even if Trump pledges to reverse the ban, his options are limited. The law was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden, meaning Trump cannot simply undo it with an executive order. While he could pledge not to enforce the ban, companies like Apple, Google, and TikTok’s service providers would still face significant legal risks by supporting the app. This uncertainty is what prompted TikTok to suspend its services preemptively.
For now, TikTok users in the U.S. are left in limbo, unable to access the platform and waiting to see if Trump’s potential 90-day extension materializes. The app has urged users to download their data—a process that may take days—while its fate remains uncertain.
As Trump prepares to take office, his administration will face mounting pressure to broker a deal to save TikTok. For the millions of Americans affected by the ban, the next few days could determine whether TikTok returns or vanishes for good.
Update: TikTok services were restored hours later after Donald Trump promised pause in the enforcement of the new law.
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