TikTok goes dark in the US

TikTok has gone dark in the US, the result of a federal law banning the popular short-form video app from millions of Americans — at least for now.

TikTok users began receiving a message about the ban around 10:30 PM ET on Saturday night, and the app also disappeared from the Apple and Google Play App stores.

“Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable,” the company’s message read. “A law has been passed banning TikTok in the United States, and unfortunately, this means that you cannot use TikTok at this time.”

The message also indicates that this may just be a temporary disappearance. TikTok credits President-elect Donald Trump for noting that he “will work with us on a solution to bring TikTok back once he’s in office,” while urging users to “follow along!”

The company warned earlier this week that the app’s disappearance was imminent. Saying on Friday that “it’s going to get dark” Unless President Joe Biden’s administration issues a “final statement” that it will not implement the ban.

Party majority in the house and Senate It passed a law last April requiring TikTok owner ByteDance to either sell the app or ban it in the United States over concerns about potential Chinese surveillance and propaganda, with Biden quickly signs the bill. While efforts are being made Forcing ByteDance to divest Going back to the first Trump administration, he has taken a different tone recently. Trump It asked the Supreme Court to postpone the ban He said he would “probably” Give the company a 90-day extension.

The Supreme Court issued a ruling Stick to the law on Friday; The Biden administration seems to be leaning toward that Leave the fate of the app in the hands of the next president. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that with the law taking effect just before Trump’s inauguration on Monday, “actions to implement the law should simply fall to the next administration.” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco issued a similar statement, saying, “The next phase of this effort — implementing the law and ensuring compliance with it after it goes into effect on January 19 — will be a process that continues over time.”

However, TikTok noted that this was not enough assurance for “significant service providers” to continue listing or hosting the app in the US unless the Biden administration issues the “final statement” mentioned above. Jean-Pierre called TikTok’s response a “stunt” and claimed that “there is no reason for TikTok or other companies to take action in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday.”

Hoax or not, TikTok is gone for now.

As for the app’s long-term prospects, Trump said he plans to “negotiate a solution” that would presumably include a sale or other concessions from ByteDance, which has repeatedly said it’s not interested in selling yet. She seems optimistic about her prospects under Trump.

Trump Repeat for NBC News on Saturday that he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban once he takes office on Monday.

“I think that would certainly be an option that we would look at. The 90-day extension is the thing that would probably be implemented, because it’s appropriate. You know, that’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump told the outlet.

On Sunday morning, He posted that he would issue an executive order On Monday, he postponed the ban, and also expressed interest in “a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners where the United States takes 50% ownership.”

Many potential buyers have thrown their hats into the ring, hoping for a chance to lure TikTok’s 170 million users from billionaire Frank McCourt. Presenting the “People’s Giving” to Confusion Amnesty International proposes a merger.

There was even a report suggesting that the Chinese government was Considering selling to Elon Musk As part of a broader deal with the Trump administration. A TikTok spokesperson called this report “pure fiction.”

Meanwhile, alternative Chinese-owned apps such as RedNote and Lemon8 have emerged Received payment While TikTok users are looking for alternatives. However, Lemon8 – also owned by ByteDance – is among these companies Other apps now blocked.

This post has been updated to reflect Trump’s comments Sunday morning, as well as additional apps that have been blocked under the law.