MUMBAI: The curtains have fallen on TikTok in the United States as the popular short-form video platform voluntarily shut down its service to users ahead of a sweeping legal ban. Upon attempting to log in, users are greeted with a stark message: " A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now.We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
This abrupt shutdown has left 170 million young users in the US in a state of disarray. TikTok has become a vital part of their daily lives, serving as a platform for creativity, self-expression, and social connection. Users have taken to social media to express their frustration and disbelief as they can no longer upload content or build their online presence on the app.
The US government has been vocal about its concerns regarding TikTok’s ties to China, citing national security risks due to the app's ownership by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Lawmakers have long argued that TikTok must either be operated in the US by an American company or divested from its Chinese stakeholders. Congress set a firm deadline of 19 January, coinciding with the incoming presidency, for TikTok to comply with the law.
Despite TikTok's efforts, a last-minute legal challenge to overturn the ban was thwarted when the Supreme Court ruled that the law does not infringe on the First Amendment. This left the company with no legal recourse. The Biden administration has deferred enforcement of the law to the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled a willingness to negotiate a solution.
President-elect Donald Trump indicated he might take action to extend the ban’s enforcement deadline. In a recent NBC News interview, he mentioned, "The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it's appropriate. If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday." Under the law, the president can grant a one-time extension of up to 90 days regarding its implementation.
As of now, TikTok users who attempt to access the app will find it absent from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and users can only retrieve their data through a specific process. TikTok's help section remains operational, but with the app effectively disabled, users are left hanging.
TikTok itself has criticised the Biden administration for its lack of clarity and assurance regarding the continuation of its services. The company remarked, "Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement… TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19."
As uncertainty looms over TikTok’s future in the U.S., millions are left to wonder if they will ever reconnect with their app, or if this is truly the end of the line. The situation remains fluid, with potential developments hinging on the incoming administration's actions in the coming days.
