Washington: In a major development, TikTok has ceased operations in the United States, following a ban that went into effect on January 20, 2025. The app, which has been used by approximately 170 million Americans, was removed from both the Apple and Google app stores late Saturday night, just one hour before the law’s implementation.
New Law Forces TikTok’s Shutdown
The new legislation, which mandates the shutdown of TikTok in the U.S., was passed last year due to national security concerns. The law required the app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, to cease operations by January 20. The law had already been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, leaving TikTok with limited time to comply.
TikTok’s Message to Users
In a notice to its U.S. users, TikTok made a significant claim, stating that President Donald Trump had indicated he would work on a solution to reinstate the app after his inauguration on Monday. TikTok assured users that President Trump could grant a 90-day reprieve from the ban, giving the company hope for a resolution.
Users Receive Notification at Midnight
As the app was removed from stores, TikTok users received a message around 10:45 PM on Saturday, informing them that the law banning TikTok in the U.S. had officially taken effect. The message continued, “This means that you can no longer use TikTok. However, we are fortunate that President Trump has signaled that he will work with us on a solution to bring TikTok back after taking office. Stay tuned.”
ByteDance’s Other Apps Affected
In addition to TikTok, other ByteDance-owned apps, including the video editing app CapCut and the lifestyle app Lemon8, were also removed from U.S. app stores on Saturday night, with no availability in the U.S. market.
Supreme Court Ruling and National Security Concerns
The ban was initially imposed last year under a law passed by the U.S. government, which cited concerns over national security and potential data misuse. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday reaffirmed the necessity of this action, giving TikTok until Sunday to sever ties with its Chinese parent company or resolve issues related to national security risks.
China Responds to the Ban
In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the U.S. of using improper legal measures to suppress TikTok. A Chinese spokesperson stated that China would take all necessary steps to protect its legitimate rights and interests in the matter.
This move adds to the ongoing tension between the U.S. and China regarding cybersecurity, data privacy, and geopolitical influence, with both sides taking hard stances on the future of TikTok in America.
