TikTok has officially suspended its services in the United States after months of deliberations. The social media app used by 170 million Americans was shut down just around the time the official implementation of the federal ban was set to take effect, starting Sunday.
Users attempting to access the application encountered a notification stating: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The app’s last hope last rests on President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20 as the app’s shutdown message also mentioned working with him to reverse the decision. The message stated, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
Shortly before the ban was implemented, Trump indicated his inclination to provide TikTok with an additional 90 days for deal negotiations, potentially averting the app’s prohibition in the United States.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump expressed that whilst he had not reached a definitive conclusion, he was contemplating offering TikTok a temporary relief following his assumption of office on Monday.
This ban comes as Congress enacted legislation, signed by President Joe Biden last year, requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company to divest its US operations to an approved purchaser within nine months. The legislation bars internet hosting services and mobile app marketplaces from making TikTok available to American users. Nevertheless, the sitting president holds the power to extend the deadline if a sale process is in progress.