TikTok Faces U.S. Ban as App is Removed from App Stores
In a dramatic development on Saturday evening, TikTok was removed from both the Apple and Google app stores, just before a federal law aimed at banning the popular social media platform was set to take effect. By 10:50 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, users could no longer find TikTok available for download in the U.S., as the law mandated that TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, either sell its U.S. operation or face a complete ban.
Pop-Up Message Alerts Users of TikTok’s Temporary Shutdown
When users attempted to open the TikTok app on Saturday evening, they were greeted with a pop-up message stating that the app was no longer accessible. The message read, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The message further added, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” Prior to this, TikTok had informed users that the service would be “temporarily unavailable” and that the company was working to restore access as soon as possible.
The Legal Battle Over TikTok’s U.S. Operations
The federal law, signed by President Joe Biden last year, required ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok’s U.S. business or face a ban. ByteDance had nine months to find an approved buyer for the U.S. operation. However, after TikTok lost its fight in the Supreme Court on Friday, the company faced the looming consequences of the law.
Under the new statute, mobile app stores were prohibited from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services could no longer deliver the app to American users. Although both White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated that the Biden administration would leave the law’s enforcement to President-elect Donald Trump, TikTok’s legal team was vocal in its opposition.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, TikTok issued a statement, warning that it “will be forced to go dark” unless the administration made a definitive statement to the companies providing TikTok’s U.S. services.
Trump’s Response and Possible Extension
In a Saturday interview with NBC News, President-elect Donald Trump indicated that he was considering granting TikTok a 90-day extension to continue operating in the U.S. The law permits the sitting president to extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress, though no clear buyer has emerged. ByteDance has previously stated that it has no intention of selling TikTok.
Trump hinted that this extension “will probably” be announced on Monday, providing a temporary reprieve for the platform.
Perplexity AI Proposes Deal to ByteDance
On Saturday, a new development surfaced when artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance. According to a person familiar with the matter, Perplexity’s offer suggested creating a new entity that would merge Perplexity with TikTok’s U.S. operations. This structure would include other investors and allow ByteDance’s current shareholders to retain a stake in TikTok. Importantly, Perplexity’s offer did not involve acquiring TikTok’s popular algorithm, which drives the platform’s content recommendations.
Other Potential Buyers Eye TikTok
TikTok has drawn interest from other investors as well. Recently, “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary revealed that he and billionaire Frank McCourt had assembled a consortium of investors offering ByteDance $20 billion in cash for the U.S. business. Additionally, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed interest in forming an investor group to purchase TikTok last year.
As the situation unfolds, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain, with President Trump’s decision on a potential extension expected in the coming days.
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