TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions have created and shared short videos, officially went off the air for American users on Saturday evening.
The popular social media app has since issued a statement to its users regarding the abrupt shutdown that was initially set to take effect on Sunday.
'A law has been passed in the US banning the popular video-sharing app. Unfortunately, this means you won't be able to use TikTok for a while,” reads the message that now appears when users log into the app.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned!'
Last year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells its shares by Monday.
The Chinese conglomerate, which had nine months to sell the platform's U.S. operations to an approved buyer, had long said it would not sell.
As US officials highlighted the app's potential national security risk, TikTok, along with some users and creators, filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the ban.
Ahead of the app's demise this weekend, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban “did not violate petitioners' First Amendment rights,” upholding an earlier appellate court ruling.
TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions created and shared short videos, officially went off the air for US users on Saturday evening
The popular social media app has issued a statement to its users regarding the expected closure
Despite the court's ruling, Trump — who asked the Supreme Court to delay enforcement of the ban — has expressed interest in potentially reversing the court's decision after his second term begins.
“The Supreme Court's ruling was expected, and everyone must respect it,” the new president wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. “My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I need time to assess the situation. Stay tuned!'
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew – who will attend Trump's second inauguration – previously said the app was “grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform.”
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew – who will attend Trump's second inauguration – previously said the app is “grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform.”
“On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all of our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to working with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Chew added.
“This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”
Although users cannot post videos under the ban, they can still access and download their data.
After the ban was upheld by the nation's highest court, President Biden had previously indicated he would not enforce it, leaving the fate of the controversial app up to Trump after he took the oath of office for the second time.
Trump also hinted that he would grant a 60- to 90-day extension so that TikTok's U.S. operations could continue.
Despite the court's ruling, Trump — who asked the Supreme Court to delay enforcement of the ban — has expressed interest in potentially reversing the court's decision after his second term begins.
After the ban was upheld by the nation's highest court, President Biden had previously indicated he would not enforce it, leaving the fate of the controversial app up to Trump after he took the oath of office for the second time.
President-elect Trump posted this after the Supreme Court's decision on the TikTok ban
Although TikTok users cannot post videos under the ban, they can still access and download their data
While the app was active, about 170 million Americans used the popular video app, lending credibility to TikTok's proponents who said its use was tied to the livelihoods of millions of people.
However, the ban has had bipartisan appeal on both sides of the aisle.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas praised the Supreme Court for rejecting “TikTok's lies and propaganda masquerading as legal arguments.”
ByteDance and its Chinese communist masters had nine months to sell TikTok before Sunday's deadline. The very fact that Communist China refuses to allow its sale reveals exactly what TikTok is: a communist spy app,” Cotton wrote on X.
After the app stopped working for users, millions of people took to X to express their dissatisfaction.
“The land of the free actually just banned Tiktok,” one tweeter wrote.
Another added: “Nothing is more American than banning TikTok before AR-15s.”
“This sucks for those who use TikTok. The government really needs to get its priorities straight,” wrote a third.
