TikTok stops working for US users and disappears from Apple and Google stores


A person holds a phone displaying the TikTok app logo. — AFP/Archive
  • Trump has indicated that he will work with us to find a solution: TikTok
  • A 90-day extension will most likely be made, the president-elect says.
  • The White House says it is up to the incoming administration to take action.

WASHINGTON: TikTok stopped working in the United States late Saturday and disappeared from the Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect Sunday that requires the closure of the app used by 170 million Americans.

President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day that he would “very likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office on Monday, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users of the app. application.

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, told users trying to use the app around 10:45 p.m. ET (0345 GMT): “A law has been enacted banning TikTok in the US. Unfortunately, that means that “You can’t use TikTok for now.” “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned.”

Other ByteDance-owned apps, including video editing app Capcut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in U.S. app stores as of Saturday evening.

“The 90-day extension is something that will probably be done because it’s appropriate,” Trump said. NBC. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

It was unclear if any US users could still access the app, but it was no longer working for many users and people looking to access it through a web app were encountering the same message that TikTok was no longer working.

TikTok, which has captivated nearly half of Americans, boosted small businesses and shaped online culture, warned Friday that it would stop operating in the United States on Sunday unless President Joe Biden’s administration provide assurances to companies like Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement action when a ban goes into effect.

Under a law passed last year and confirmed Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday to cut ties with its Chinese parent ByteDance or close its U.S. operation to resolve concerns that it poses a threat to the national security.

The White House reiterated Saturday that it was up to the incoming administration to take action.

“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take action in the coming days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

TikTok did not respond to a request for comment on the new White House statement.

China’s embassy in Washington said Friday that the United States was using unfair state power to suppress TikTok. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said.

Users turn to alternatives

Uncertainty about the app’s future had caused mostly young users to look for alternatives, including China-based RedNote. Rivals Meta and Snap also saw their shares rise this month ahead of the ban, as investors bet on an influx of users and advertising dollars.

“This is my new home now,” one user wrote in a RedNote post, tagged with the words “tiktokrefugee” and “sad.”

Minutes after TikTok shut down in the United States, other users turned to X, formerly called Twitter.

“I really didn’t think they would cut TikTok. Now I’m sad and I miss the friends I made there. I hope everything comes back in a few days,” @RavenclawJedi wrote.

Marketing companies that rely on TikTok scrambled to prepare contingency plans this week in what one executive described as a “hair on fire” moment after months of conventional wisdom saying a solution to keep the app up and running would materialize. .

There have been signs that TikTok could make a comeback under Trump, who has said he wants to seek a “political resolution” to the issue and last month urged the Supreme Court to halt implementation of the ban.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend the US presidential inauguration and attend a rally with Trump on Sunday, a source said. Reuters.

Suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in the fast-growing business that analysts estimate could be worth up to $50 billion. Media reports say Beijing has also held talks about selling TikTok’s US operations to billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk, although the company has denied this.

US search engine startup Perplexity AI submitted an offer on Saturday to ByteDance for Perplexity to merge with TikTok US, a source familiar with the company’s plans said. Reuters. Perplexity would merge with TikTok US and create a new entity by combining the merged company with other partners, the person added.

Privately held ByteDance is about 60% owned by institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic, while its founders and employees own 20% each. It has more than 7,000 employees in the United States.



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