Platform’s Unprecedented Self-Imposed Blackout Affects 170 Million American Users
TikTok ceased US operations at 10:15 PM ET Saturday, voluntarily shutting down less than two hours before a federal ban took effect. The platform’s farewell message specifically cited President-elect Donald Trump as its potential savior, following multiple meetings between TikTok CEO Shou Chew and Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The shutdown comes one day after the Supreme Court unanimously upheld legislation requiring Chinese-owned ByteDance to sell TikTok to a US buyer. Trump told NBC News on Saturday that he would “most likely” announce a 90-day extension of the ban after his inauguration on Monday.
5 Key Points
- Supreme Court delivered a 9-0 ruling upholding the TikTok ban on January 17.
- The platform goes dark at 10:15 PM ET on January 18, affecting 170 million US users.
- Google and Apple removed TikTok from app stores, citing legal liability.
- ByteDance rejects all US buyer offers throughout late 2024.
- Trump signals 90-day ban extension announcement likely Monday.
Service Providers Force TikTok’s Hand as White House Calls Shutdown “Political”
Google and Apple removed TikTok from their app stores Saturday evening, with multiple infrastructure providers threatening to cut services at midnight. “Critical service providers indicated they would no longer carry the app or its data,” a person close to TikTok told CNN, citing fears of “exorbitant fines.” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre labeled the shutdown a “stunt,” stating: “We have laid out our position clearly – actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration.” Users attempting to open TikTok encountered the message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
From TikTok Critic to Champion: Trump Courts Chinese Platform After Mar-a-Lago Summit
Trump’s stance on TikTok transformed dramatically following a series of private meetings with CEO Shou Chew at Mar-a-Lago throughout January 2025. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC News Saturday. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.” The reversal marks a stark contrast from 2020 when Trump first warned of TikTok’s security threats. Earlier this month, Trump posted his TikTok statistics on Truth Social, asking: “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” Chew plans to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, underscoring the platform’s strategic pivot toward the incoming administration.
Republican Senators Blast Trump’s TikTok Reversal as National Security Risk
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) denounced any potential extension of TikTok’s operation Saturday: “ByteDance and its Chinese Communist masters had nine months to sell TikTok before the Sunday deadline. The very fact that Communist China refuses to permit its sale reveals exactly what TikTok is: a communist spy app.” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) joined Cotton’s opposition, setting up a confrontation with Trump’s incoming administration. The criticism highlights deepening Republican divisions over the platform’s fate, even after April’s bipartisan legislation mandating ByteDance sell its US operations.
Tech Giants Face Billion-Dollar Penalties Under Unclear Ban Rules
Major technology companies moved to distance themselves from TikTok Saturday, fearing massive fines under the new law. Google removed TikTok from the Play Store, while Apple blocked new downloads. Download attempts trigger error messages, affecting even ByteDance’s other apps like CapCut. A White House source confirmed to CNN that the Biden administration wouldn’t impose fines on Sundays, but service providers remained unconvinced. “Multiple critical service providers indicated to TikTok that they would no longer carry the app or its data,” a person familiar with the discussions told CNN, citing potential “exorbitant fines” for continuing service.
Perplexity AI Emerges as Surprise Bidder Amid ByteDance’s Sales Resistance
San Francisco-based Perplexity AI confirmed its bid to merge with TikTok Saturday, marking the first publicly announced potential buyer since ByteDance began rejecting US acquisition offers in late 2024. ByteDance has consistently cited TikTok’s 170 million American users and small business impact while refusing sales talks. Meanwhile, alternative apps gained immediate traction as TikTok went dark. ByteDance’s photo-sharing app Lemon8 topped download charts, though industry analyst Richard Greenfield of LightShed Partners warns it may face similar regulatory scrutiny.
Biden Administration Steps Back as Platform Goes Dark
The White House maintained its hands-off approach during TikTok’s final hours of US operation. “Due to the federal holiday weekend and the inauguration, actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next administration,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced. President Biden reinforced this stance Friday, telling reporters the decision “is going to be made by the next president anyway.” Some Biden officials privately expressed satisfaction with TikTok’s temporary shutdown, given Congress’s strong bipartisan support for the ban.
FAQ
Q: Can I file a lawsuit if I or a loved one was harmed by social media use?
A: If you or a loved one experienced harm related to social media platforms, such as exploitation or addiction, legal options may be available. Contact our legal experts to learn about your rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: When exactly will TikTok return to the United States?
A: The timeline depends on President-elect Trump’s actions after Monday’s inauguration. Trump told NBC News he would “most likely” announce a 90-day ban extension, though he hadn’t decided.
Q: Why did TikTok shut down before the midnight deadline?
A: Service providers threatened to cut access at midnight, fearing legal liability despite the Biden administration’s assurances. Rather than risk disruption, TikTok initiated a controlled shutdown at 10:15 PM ET Saturday.
Q: What happens to TikTok creators’ content and followers?
A: The source material doesn’t specify what happens to existing content and follower counts. Small businesses and influencers who rely on TikTok for income await clarity from the incoming Trump administration.
Q: Will other Chinese-owned apps face similar bans?
A: ByteDance’s other apps, including CapCut and Lemon8, displayed similar shutdown messages Saturday. The current ban targets TikTok, but industry analysts suggest Lemon8 could face comparable scrutiny.
Q: Can ByteDance still sell TikTok to avoid the ban?
A: Yes. The law allows TikTok to resume operations if ByteDance sells to a US buyer or allied nation. Perplexity AI, a San Francisco-based startup, confirmed its merger bid on Saturday.
Q: What would a 90-day extension mean for users?
A: A presidential extension would allow TikTok to restore service while ByteDance negotiates potential sales. Trump can grant the extension if he sees “significant progress” toward US ownership.
Q: How have app stores responded to the ban?
A: Google and Apple removed TikTok from their stores Saturday. Users can’t download the app and existing installations display shutdown messages.
Citations
Pellish, Aaron and Stelter, Brian (January 18, 2025). TikTok shuts down in the United States hours ahead of a ban. CNN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/california-isn-t-the-only-place-where-insurers-are-dropping-homeowners/ar-AA1xqaOi
