19th January 2025 – (Washington) TikTok announced late on Saturday that it would be “temporarily unavailable” on Sunday, coinciding with the enforcement of a new law banning the app due to national security concerns. Users attempting to access the platform were greeted with a message stating that the law would compel the service to go offline, though they could still navigate the app for the time being.
The impending shutdown comes as the platform, which boasts approximately 170 million American users, has been under intense scrutiny from US lawmakers. The law, upheld by a unanimous Supreme Court ruling on Friday, requires TikTok to sever ties with its China-based parent company, ByteDance, by Sunday or face a complete ban in the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump indicated during an NBC interview that he would likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve, allowing the app to continue operating while negotiations continue. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump stated, implying an announcement could come as soon as Monday.
The law poses severe penalties for app store operators such as Apple and Google, as well as internet service providers like Oracle, if they facilitate access to TikTok. Fines could reach as much as $5,000 per user, creating significant financial implications for those involved.
As the deadline approached, TikTok made last-ditch appeals to both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration, seeking a resolution. However, the uncertainty surrounding the app’s fate remains palpable, particularly as no precedent exists for an app with such a vast user base being banned overnight in the United States.
The situation presents a major setback for TikTok and ByteDance, particularly given the platform’s lucrative appeal in the American market. Legal experts suggest that even a temporary shutdown could lead to lasting damage, with users migrating to competing platforms and potentially not returning if the ban is lifted.
In the final days of the Biden administration, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that the government would not begin imposing fines on companies immediately. “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” she clarified.
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