TikTok Removed from U.S. App Stores as Federal Ban Takes Effect
The popular social media platform TikTok was removed from major app stores in the united States on Saturday night, just hours before a federal law banning the app took effect. As of 10:50 p.m. EST,the app was no longer available on Apple and Google’s app stores,marking a meaningful moment in the ongoing battle between the U.S. government and TikTok’s parent company, China-based ByteDance.
When users attempted to open the app on Saturday night, they where met with a pop-up message from TikTok: “A law has been passed banning TikTok in the United States. Sadly, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” The message also hinted at a potential resolution, stating, “We are blessed that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
The ban stems from a federal law signed by president Joe Biden last year, which required ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok’s U.S.operations or face a ban. ByteDance was given nine months to sell the platform to an authorized buyer, but the company chose to challenge the law in court. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled against TikTok, upholding the ban.
Under the law,mobile app stores are prohibited from offering TikTok,and internet hosting services are barred from providing the platform to American users. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco confirmed that the Biden governance would delegate the implementation of the law to President-elect Donald Trump, whose inauguration is set for the day after the ban takes effect.
However, TikTok has expressed concerns about its future. following the Supreme court ruling, the company stated it “will be forced to shut down” if the government does not provide a “definitive statement” to companies providing its service in the U.S. Jean-Pierre dismissed TikTok’s lawsuit as a “stunt,” emphasizing that there was no reason for TikTok or other companies to “take action in the coming days before the Trump administration takes office.”
In a Saturday interview with NBC News, President-elect Donald Trump revealed he is considering granting TikTok a 90-day extension, which would allow the platform to continue operating. Federal law permits the sitting president to extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress. However, no clear buyers have emerged, and ByteDance has previously stated it will not sell TikTok. Trump indicated that an announcement regarding the extension could come as early as Monday.
Meanwhile, potential investors are circling the platform.artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance on Saturday to create a new entity that would merge Perplexity with TikTok’s U.S. business. The proposed structure would include other investors and allow existing ByteDance shareholders to retain their stake in the company.Notably, Perplexity has not sought to acquire ByteDance’s algorithm, which has been instrumental in TikTok’s success.
Other investors have also expressed interest.“Shark Tank” star Kevin O’leary recently announced that a consortium of investors he assembled, including billionaire Frank McCourt, offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also revealed last year that he was putting together a group of investors to purchase TikTok.
As the clock ticks down, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Will the platform find a lifeline through an extension or a new ownership structure? Or will it fade into history as one of the most controversial apps of the digital age?
| Key Points | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Ban Effective Date | January 19, 2025 |
| App Removal | TikTok removed from Apple and Google app stores as of 10:50 p.m. EST |
| Legal Challenge | Supreme Court upheld the ban on January 17, 2025 |
| Potential Extension | President-elect trump considering a 90-day extension |
| Investor Interest | Perplexity AI, Kevin O’Leary, and Steven Mnuchin among potential investors |
Stay tuned as this story continues to unfold. What are your thoughts on the TikTok ban? Share your opinions in the comments below.
