TikTok went offline in the United States on Sunday, just hours before a nationwide ban on the platform was set to come into effect. A message displayed on the app for US users announced that the ban had been enacted, rendering TikTok temporarily unusable. The app also disappeared from both Apple and Google’s app stores, and its website, TikTok.com, stopped displaying videos for US users.
The sudden blackout followed days of uncertainty surrounding the social media platform’s future in the country. TikTok had previously warned that it would “go dark” if assurances were not received from the Biden administration that the ban would not be enforced.
President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on Monday, hinted at a possible reprieve. In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump stated that he would “most likely” extend TikTok’s operations by granting a 90-day reprieve. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” he said, adding that he might announce the decision on Monday.
This marks a significant shift in TikTok’s standing in the US. The outgoing Biden administration had moved to enforce the ban, citing concerns over national security and the app’s ties to Chinese parent company ByteDance. The decision to remove TikTok from app stores and make it inaccessible sparked immediate frustration among the platform’s vast US user base.
The Trump administration, however, appears poised to chart a different course. In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that decisions about TikTok and similar platforms would ultimately fall to the incoming administration. “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,” Jean-Pierre said.
TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon in the US, boasting over 100 million users, many of whom rely on it for entertainment, creative expression, and even livelihoods. Its temporary unavailability underscores the volatile political landscape surrounding tech companies with international ties.
All eyes now turn to Monday, as President-elect Trump is expected to address the issue and potentially provide a 90-day extension. Whether this reprieve will pave the way for a longer-term solution remains to be seen, but TikTok users can take comfort in the hope of its return.
