A new law banning TikTok has come into effect in the United States, resulting in the app becoming unusable shortly before its enforcement. TikTok notified users that a law banning its operation had been enacted, stating, “you can’t use TikTok for now.”
U.S. bans TikTok amid security concerns, Trump plans intervention
The ban stems from concerns regarding the app’s ties to the Chinese government. TikTok was given until January 19 to be sold to a U.S. buyer approved by the government to avoid the ban, but this deadline was not met. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law prohibiting TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, divested ownership.
President Joe Biden stated that he would leave the matter for his successor, Donald Trump, who indicated he would likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban once he took office. Trump declared, “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” suggesting he would announce it following his inauguration.
As part of the ban’s enforcement, users reported TikTok was removed from both Apple and Google’s U.S. app stores, with TikTok.com also showing no videos. A message within the app conveyed, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.”
In the hours leading up to the platform’s shutdown, content creators posted farewell videos, with user Nicole Bloomgarden expressing concern that losing access to TikTok would lead to a significant salary cut, while Erika Thompson noted that educational content on the platform would be the “biggest loss” for the community.
On the same day, UK government officials stated there were currently no plans to follow the U.S. path regarding TikTok, emphasizing that they would review the situation based on any perceived threats to national interest. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones dismissed the notion of banning it for casual users, stating, “for consumers who want to post videos of their cats dancing, that doesn’t seem like a security threat to me.”
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Approximately 12 hours after the initial shutdown, TikTok announced its return for many users, crediting Trump’s intervention. The notification read, “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.” Users had previously encountered a message indicating the app was unavailable due to the new law.
Trump revealed plans to issue an executive order after his inauguration to delay enforcement of the law. He urged TikTok’s partners to reinstate the app, assuring them there would be no liabilities for maintaining service prior to his order. Trump mentioned he was considering a joint venture, suggesting a 50-50 partnership between ByteDance and a prospective American owner.
Despite the app’s brief downtime, securing TikTok’s long-term availability in the U.S. may prove challenging. Trump’s executive order could face pushback from within his party, with Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts advocating a strict separation from any ties to China, arguing that such connections jeopardize user security and privacy.
Even with Trump’s pledges, experts noted that he cannot unilaterally overturn the law passed by Congress without legislative action. The ban represents a culmination of lengthy efforts to sever U.S. access to TikTok amid national security apprehensions regarding ByteDance, which has until January 19, 2025, to divest TikTok based on the law.
Currently, solutions to maintain TikTok’s availability hinge on either legislative reversal of the ban or a successful sale to a non-Chinese entity. Multiple bidders, including a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest, although ByteDance remains steadfast in not intending to sell.
Featured image credit: visuals/Unsplash
