TikTok shuts down in US hours ahead of ban

A day prior, TikTok released a statement saying that the social media app would "cease service" if it did not receive official notification of an extension to the U.S. ban legislation. Having received no such notification, the company shut down the app for all existing users in the U.S. two hours before the arrival of January 19th, Eastern Time. This proactive measure underscored the company's commitment to complying with legal requirements.

This ban not only affected the reportedly 170 million U.S. TikTok users, but also any TikTok users currently located in the United States. Users attempting to access the app received a message stating: "Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable." Users in Australia who clicked on U.S. users also received the same message, indicating the widespread impact of the ban.

The message read: "A law banning TikTok has gone into effect in the U.S. Unfortunately, this means that TikTok is temporarily unavailable to you." However, the message also hinted at potential changes after President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday. TikTok informed its users: "We are fortunate that President Trump has stated that he will work with us to find a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned!" This positive outlook offered a glimmer of hope for the app's future.

Trump stated in a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday that he would "very likely" postpone the TikTok ban by 90 days after his inauguration on Monday, adding that he had not made a final decision. "I think that's going to be an option that we look at. A 90-day extension is very likely to happen because that's appropriate. We have to study it carefully, it's a very important situation," Trump said in the interview. "If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday."

TikTok's warning, along with the hints of a possible extension, represents the latest development in a months-long saga that has left the fate of the app, with its 170 million U.S. users, hanging in the balance. Late last Saturday, TikTok began displaying a message stating: "We regret to inform you that a U.S. law banning TikTok will go into effect on January 19th and force us to temporarily cease providing service." This message prepared users for the potential disruption of their favorite platform.

The law to block TikTok was passed last year with strong bipartisan support and signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden. Legislators stated that TikTok's ties to China and its access to vast amounts of data posed a threat to national security. Many U.S. users told CNN that they were preparing for the app's demise, including influencers and other small businesses who said they relied on the platform for their livelihoods. Nevertheless, they expressed hope that the app could somehow be saved, demonstrating the platform's significant impact on their lives.

But the Supreme Court upheld the ban on Friday, crushing hopes for last-minute judicial relief. Late Friday, TikTok said it would go offline on Sunday unless the Biden administration intervened. Some companies that operate app stores and run computer servers were reportedly concerned that they would be held liable. If TikTok ceases service, it will be because these service providers stop providing the app to avoid legal consequences, highlighting the legal complexities involved.

Meanwhile, Trump, who first warned of the dangers of TikTok five years ago, is now portraying himself as the app's savior. Earlier this month, he posted statistics about his popularity on TikTok on his own Truth Social account, asking, "Why should I get rid of TikTok?" In the weeks leading up to the ban, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home and is expected to attend Trump's inauguration on Monday, further complicating the narrative.

The law passed last year allows the president to postpone the ban's effective date by 90 days, but requires evidence that parties committed to arranging a sale of TikTok to a U.S.-owned company have made significant progress. However, TikTok's owner, ByteDance, has rejected potential buyers. The company has fought to stay online without changing ownership, citing its popularity among U.S. users and its value to small businesses across the country, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining its current structure.