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Thursday, February 13, 2025

TikTok Pulls Plug on 170 Million Users as U.S. Ban Takes Effect

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WASHINGTON, USA – TikTok ceased operations in the United States on Saturday, January 18, 2025 leaving its 170 million U.S. users without access to the widely popular app.

The shutdown follows months of legal battles and political manoeuvring over its future, culminating in a ban that officially went into effect over the weekend.

Upon opening the app, users were greeted with a sombre message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.”

The notification added that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to work on a solution to reinstate the app.

Users were provided an option to either close the app or learn more. On TikTok’s website, an additional message informed users they could still log in to download their data.

The app was simultaneously removed from Apple and Google’s app stores, making it inaccessible for new downloads.

Several other apps owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, including CapCut and Lemon8, displayed similar messages and became unavailable.

American democracy, President Joe Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday, January 13, 2025. | Mandel Ngan/EPA
President Joe Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday, January 13, 2025. | Mandel Ngan/EPA

Political and Legal Tensions

The shutdown is the latest development in a contentious saga.

In April, President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban.

On Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the law, paving the way for its enforcement. However, the Biden administration deferred responsibility for enforcing the ban to the incoming Trump administration.

President-elect Trump indicated on Saturday that he might extend the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok.

Speaking to NBC News, he stated, “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate.”

The incoming administration is divided on the issue.

Federal Communications Commission Chair-designate Brendan Carr has advocated strongly against Chinese ownership of TikTok, citing national security concerns.

Conversely, some advisers, including tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, have championed TikTok’s availability on free speech grounds.

TikTok ceased operations in the United States on Saturday, January 18, 2025 leaving its 170 million U.S. users without access to the widely popular app.
Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance pictured in March 2022. | Reuters

Concerns Over National Security

Lawmakers across the political spectrum have expressed concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership, arguing that the app could provide the Chinese government with access to Americans’ data or influence public opinion.

TikTok has consistently refuted these allegations. CEO Shou Zi Chew has described the platform as secure and painted its looming ban as a violation of free speech.

In a Friday TikTok video, Chew thanked Trump for his support, pointing to the president-elect’s popularity on the platform, where he has amassed over 14 million followers.

“The incoming president strongly supports TikTok,” Chew said.

TikTok Ban

Rep. Jamaal Bowman participates as TikTok content creators gather outside the Capitol to voice their opposition to a potential ban on the app, highlighting the platform’s impact on their livelihoods and communities in Washington, D.C, on March 22, 2023. | Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

User Backlash and Migration

The ban has sparked backlash from TikTok users and creators.

Many have mourned the platform’s shutdown, posting compilations of their most viral moments and encouraging followers to connect with them on alternative platforms.

Some users have moved to rival platforms, including RedNote, a Chinese app that experts warn may pose even greater security risks.

Others have taken to social media to lament the loss, with one user comparing TikTok to the Detroit Lions, quipping that both were “eliminated by Washington.”

Even popular parody accounts joined the discussion.

The Liza Minnelli Outlives X account posted, “Liza Minnelli outlived TikTok, forcing many people to find new ways to waste time.”

tiktok, tik tok

Next Steps for TikTok

TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain.

A sale to an American owner could potentially allow the platform to comply with the law and resume operations.

Alternatively, President-elect Trump could decide to maintain the Biden administration’s decision not to enforce the law.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote on Friday: “The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not-too-distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!”

As TikTok navigates its next steps, millions of American users are left without their favourite app, and the battle over the platform’s fate continues to unfold.

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