TikTok’s app was removed from prominent app stores on Sunday just before a federal law that woudl have banned the popular social media platform was scheduled to go into effect. By 10.50pm Eastern Standard Time, the app was not found on Apple and Google’s app stores, which are prohibited from offering the platform under a law that required TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or face a US ban.
When users opened the TikTok app on Saturday evening, they encountered a pop-up message from the company that prevented them from scrolling on videos.“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” the message said. “Unluckily, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” The message also 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!”
Before that proclamation went out, the company had said in another message to users that its service would be “temporarily unavailable” and told them it was working to restore its US service “as soon as possible.” the federal law, signed by President Joe Biden last year, required ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok’s US platform or face a ban.
| Key Event | Details |
|———–|———|
| Removal from App Stores | tiktok was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores by 10.50pm EST. |
| User Message | Users encountered a pop-up message stating the app was banned in the U.S. |
| company Response | TikTok indicated it was working to restore service and mentioned potential collaboration with President Trump. |
| Federal Law | Signed by President biden,the law required ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok or face a ban. |
The sudden removal of TikTok from app stores has left millions of users in limbo, sparking widespread discussions about the future of the platform in the U.S. As the company works towards a resolution, the impact of this decision on the social media landscape remains to be seen.
TikTok Faces Uncertain Future as Legal Battle Intensifies
The fate of TikTok in the United states hangs in the balance as the biden administration prepares to hand over the implementation of a controversial ban to President-elect Donald Trump. The ban, which prohibits mobile app stores from offering TikTok and internet hosting services from delivering the platform to American users, is set to take effect just one day before Trump’s inauguration.
The legal battle began when ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, was given nine months to sell its U.S.operations to an approved buyer. Rather of complying,ByteDance and tiktok chose to challenge the law in court.Their fight ended in defeat on Saturday when the Supreme Court ruled against them.
Following the ruling, TikTok issued a stark warning, stating it “will be forced to go dark” if the administration doesn’t provide a “definitive statement” to the companies that deliver its service in the U.S. Though, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-pierre dismissed TikTok’s demand as a “stunt,” emphasizing there was no reason for TikTok or other companies “to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office.”
Trump Considers 90-Day Extension
In a Sunday interview with NBC news, President-elect Donald Trump revealed he is considering granting TikTok a 90-day extension to continue operating.The federal law allows 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 won’t sell TikTok.
Trump hinted that an announcement regarding the extension could come as early as Tuesday. “If such an extension happens, it would problably be announced on Tuesday,” he said.
Perplexity AI proposes Merger
Amid the uncertainty,artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has stepped forward with a proposal to ByteDance. According to a source familiar with the matter, Perplexity AI aims to create a new entity that merges its operations with TikTok’s U.S. business. The proposed structure would include other investors and allow ByteDance’s existing shareholders to retain their stake in the company.
Notably, Perplexity AI is not seeking to purchase ByteDance’s algorithm, which powers TikTok’s personalized video feed and has been a key factor in the platform’s success.
Other Investors Eye TikTok
Perplexity AI isn’t the only player interested in TikTok. “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary recently disclosed that a consortium of investors, including billionaire Frank McCourt, has offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash for the platform. Additionally, former treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed last year that he was assembling an investor group to acquire TikTok.
Key Points at a Glance
| Key Event | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Supreme Court Ruling | ByteDance and TikTok lost their legal challenge against the ban. |
| TikTok’s Warning | The platform may “go dark” without a definitive statement from the U.S. |
| Trump’s Potential Extension | A 90-day extension could be announced on Tuesday. |
| Perplexity AI Proposal | A merger proposal aims to create a new entity with TikTok’s U.S. business. |
| Other Investor Offers | Kevin O’Leary and Steven Mnuchin have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. |
What’s Next for TikTok?
As the clock ticks down, TikTok’s future remains uncertain. Will Trump grant the 90-day extension? Will ByteDance except a merger proposal or hold out for a better deal? One thing is clear: the next few days will be pivotal for the platform and its millions of U.S. users.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds. For more insights into the evolving landscape of social media and tech, explore our latest coverage.
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