TikTok Ban: the app goes offline for US users
As of January 19, 2025, TikTok has been officially banned in the United States following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the ban due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership.
However, before the ban take effect, TikTok officially goes offline and shared that the platform will be “temporarily unavailable” for US users.
Major app stores, including Apple and Google, have removed TikTok from their platforms, and service disruptions have been reported nationwide.
While The Biden White House says TikTok’s threat to go dark is a ‘stunt’.
President-elect Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to grant a 90-day extension to TikTok, allowing its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, additional time to divest its U.S. operations to an approved buyer.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in a video posted on TikTok:
“On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States. This is a strong stand for the First Amendment, and against arbitrary censorship.”
Potential buyers, such as Perplexity AI and Elon Musk, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.
In response to the ban, TikTok has announced plans to challenge the decision in court, labeling it as “unconstitutional” and asserting that it violates the free speech rights of its 170 million American users.
Digital rights advocates have also raised concerns, warning that the ban could set a precedent for further restrictions on online platforms and may lead to a fragmented internet landscape which will eventually lead to frustration and anger among youngsters who have been using TikTok to make a living online.
As the situation develops, TikTok users and creators are exploring alternative platforms like RedNote and more to continue their online presence, while the app’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain pending legal challenges and potential negotiations for its sale.
