GUWAHATI: TikTok ceased to function in the United States, coinciding with the impending enforcement of a federal ban on the Chinese-owned app, on late Saturday night. The popular short-video platform disappeared from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, marking the culmination of a legal and political standoff.
In April, the U.S. Congress passed a law requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a non-Chinese owner or face a nationwide ban. ByteDance opted against divestment, maintaining that such a move was "not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible."
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Efforts to restrict TikTok began five years ago, with former President Donald Trump issuing an executive order to ban the app in 2020, though it ultimately failed. A subsequent measure, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, became law, mandating TikTok's sale or prohibition.
As the deadline approached, TikTok warned users of the app's impending shutdown. A message displayed to users attempting to access the platform read: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, you can’t use TikTok for now. We are working on a solution to bring it back. Please stay tuned.”
TikTok’s legal team had informed the Supreme Court that the app would “go dark” on January 19. Following its removal from app stores, the platform is expected to degrade over time without updates, potentially becoming prone to glitches and cyber vulnerabilities.
The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutionality of the law mandating TikTok’s sale or ban, solidifying the app's fate. President Joe Biden indicated that the enforcement of the law would be left to incoming President Donald Trump, who has shown a willingness to explore a resolution. The White House emphasised that TikTok could remain available under American ownership.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, appealed to President-elect Trump, expressing gratitude for his willingness to consider solutions that might preserve the app’s availability. In a TikTok video, Chew stated: “On behalf of all our users across the country, I thank President Trump for his commitment to finding a way forward.”
Ironically, Trump, who initiated the push for a TikTok ban, became a vocal supporter of the app during his 2024 presidential campaign, leveraging its vast user base to connect with audiences. While Trump has signalled he might grant a 90-day extension to delay the ban, it remains unclear if he can entirely circumvent the law.
TikTok users in the U.S. have begun migrating to alternative platforms. Interestingly, many are bypassing American competitors like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels in favor of Xiaohongshu, a Chinese video-sharing app known as RedNote. One user summed up the sentiment, saying, “I’d rather share everything with the Chinese Communist Party than switch to Instagram Reels.”
As the app goes offline, TikTok's future in the U.S. remains uncertain, hinging on legal, political, and technological developments in the months ahead.
