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New York,
TikTok has gone offline in the U.S.—at least for now.
Late Saturday night, American users attempting to access TikTok were met with a message stating the app was offline, urging them to "stay tuned."
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” the message read. The app was also removed from Apple and Google Play stores, along with other ByteDance-owned platforms such as Lemon8 and CapCut.
The shutdown, which TikTok had warned might happen, follows weeks of uncertainty and marks a significant disruption for its 170 million U.S. users. Many rely on TikTok daily for entertainment, news, community, and even income.
However, this might not be the end for TikTok in the U.S.
A Path to Reinstatement
President-elect Donald Trump told NBC News on Saturday that he would “most likely” delay the TikTok ban for 90 days after taking office on Monday, potentially announcing this decision on his first day.
“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump said.
Such a move could serve as a political win for Trump, especially among younger voters. Despite supporting a TikTok ban during his first term, Trump has recently shifted his stance, even posting on Truth Social: “SAVE TIKTOK!”
Last month, Trump requested the Supreme Court to stay the ban, arguing that his incoming administration should have the opportunity to negotiate a resolution. However, the Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday.
TikTok acknowledged Trump’s potential intervention in a pop-up message to users.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the company posted.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew expressed gratitude to Trump, stating in a video response to Friday’s Supreme Court decision, “We are pleased to have the support of a president who understands our platform.”
Trump has credited TikTok with contributing to his electoral success, citing its influence among younger voters.
The TikTok Ban
The law banning TikTok passed Congress with bipartisan support, citing national security concerns over ByteDance’s ownership. While a 2023 Pew Research Center survey showed about half of Americans support the ban, it remains unpopular among younger demographics.
To delay enforcement, Trump could issue an executive order, granting ByteDance an additional 90 days to find an American buyer for TikTok. This could provide relief to TikTok’s tech partners, including Oracle, Apple, and Google, which face legal risks for hosting or supporting the app under the current ban.
Why TikTok Shut Down
The Biden administration deferred enforcing the ban to the incoming Trump administration, but TikTok’s service providers still acted cautiously. For example, Apple removed TikTok from its App Store, citing compliance with the law.
“Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates,” the company stated.
The ban also applies to ByteDance’s other apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, which are no longer available for download in the U.S.
Long-Term Solutions
To keep TikTok online permanently, lawmakers would need to either pass new legislation overturning the ban or ensure ByteDance sells TikTok to an acceptable buyer.
Several buyers, including billionaire Frank McCourt and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. However, ByteDance has resisted selling its prized algorithm, the core of TikTok’s success.
Alternative solutions include creating an American-only version of TikTok, though this could complicate access for international users.
Reports suggest China may be considering a sale, with Elon Musk emerging as a potential buyer. While Musk has the resources to acquire the app, his intentions remain unclear, and he has yet to comment publicly on the matter.
If ByteDance engages in negotiations, Trump could argue that sufficient progress has been made to justify reversing the ban temporarily. However, a final resolution would still depend on completing the sale.
Until then, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
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