TikTok has gone dark in the US as a ban looms, leaving millions of users in suspense about the app’s future.
The message apologized for the inconvenience and mentioned that President Trump might help find a solution. They asked users to stay tuned for updates.
With 170 million users in the US, TikTok’s ban stems from concerns over its ties to the Chinese government, which its parent company, ByteDance, denies.
The Supreme Court upheld the ban, which was signed into law by President Biden last April. The deadline for TikTok to be sold to a US buyer is January 19.
Biden has left the issue for Trump, who has promised to “save TikTok.” Trump hinted he might give the app a 90-day extension when he takes office.
He mentioned on NBC News that this extension is likely and will be announced soon.
In the meantime, TikTok was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores, and users reported that TikTok.com wasn’t showing any videos.
If app stores keep offering TikTok after the deadline, they could face hefty fines. Senator Tom Cotton warned that penalties could reach $850 billion.
TikTok argues that the ban violates free speech rights for its users. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that the law doesn’t infringe on those rights.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, thanked Trump for his willingness to work on a solution and plans to attend the inauguration.
As the ban approached, many content creators shared emotional farewells with their followers.
Influencer James Charles, who has 40 million followers, cried in his final post, expressing his sadness over the ban.
He said, “It feels dystopian and unreal that it could be going away in a couple of hours.” He hopes it’s not goodbye but just a see you later.
