TikTok has been shut down in the US hours before it was meant to be, but Donald Trump could come to its rescue.
TikTok users across the United States were left in the dark as the popular video-sharing app went offline at 11:00PM on Saturday, per BBC News.
A message displayed to US users read: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted, meaning you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The ban stems from concerns over the app’s ties to the Chinese government.
Lawmakers had set a deadline of January 19 for TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to an approved US buyer. ByteDance has yet to comply with the requirement.
President Joe Biden, who previously indicated he would defer the matter to his successor, Donald Trump, has handed over the reins of the controversy.
Trump, in response, has suggested that TikTok may receive a 90-day reprieve from the ban.
“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC News on Saturday. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
Users noticed that the app had also been removed from Apple and Google’s US app stores. Additionally, TikTok’s website was no longer showing videos.
A message displayed after the ban was implemented expressed hope for resolution, stating: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.”
The Supreme Court upheld the law, which was initially passed in April 2024, mandating TikTok’s sale or withdrawal from the US market.
The ruling came despite TikTok’s arguments that the law infringes on free speech rights for its 170 million American users.
TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, responded to the ruling by appealing directly to Trump.
“We are thankful for his commitment to work with us to find a solution,” Chew said. Chew is also expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
The ban also extends to ByteDance’s sister app Lemon8 and RedNote, a Chinese social media platform that gained traction as a TikTok alternative. Both apps are subject to the law prohibiting foreign adversary-developed platforms from U.S. app stores.
Several entities have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok. Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced in March 2024 his intention to “put together a group” to acquire the platform, reaching out to “a lot of tech companies”.
Video-sharing platform Rumble also entered the fray, stating its readiness to form a consortium for the purchase, per Forbes.
Meanwhile, Project Liberty, a nonprofit internet advocacy group led by billionaire Frank McCourt, proposed acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations with backing from investors such as Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary and Guggenheim Securities.
O’Leary claimed he offered $20 billion for the app.
Speculation has also swirled around Elon Musk, with reports suggesting Chinese officials are open to selling TikTok to the Tesla CEO due to his close ties with Trump.