The widely popular social media platform TikTok ceased operations in the United States this Saturday following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a law requiring the Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell its stake in the app or face a ban in the country. With a user base of 170 million Americans, TikTok informed its users about the service interruption with a message stating, "Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable."
This action, driven by Congress on national security grounds, mandates that ByteDance must transfer ownership of TikTok to a buyer approved by U.S. authorities by Sunday, January 19th. Failure to comply would necessitate companies like Apple and Google to remove the app from their digital stores, while service providers such as Oracle and Amazon Web Services would need to sever ties with the platform. Non-compliance could result in fines up to $5,000 per user.
Despite the judicial ruling, the Biden administration announced it would not enforce the law, passing the responsibility to the incoming president, Donald Trump, who is set to take office on Monday. In an interview with NBC, Trump hinted at the possibility of granting TikTok a 90-day extension to find a solution that allows it to continue operating in the U.S.
Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre described the service suspension as a "publicity stunt" by TikTok, reiterating that the current administration has no intention of imposing sanctions while the platform's future remains unresolved, according to a report by the EFE agency.
In the interim, TikTok users have reported the app's disappearance from Apple's App Store in the U.S., making new downloads impossible. The uncertainty surrounding the future of TikTok leaves millions of content creators and brands who rely on the platform for their business in a state of suspense.
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Ban in the U.S.
What led to the TikTok ban in the United States?
The ban was initiated due to national security concerns, as Congress required ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok to a U.S.-approved buyer.
How has the Biden administration reacted to the TikTok ban?
The Biden administration announced it would not enforce the law, leaving the decision to the incoming president, Donald Trump.
What are the potential consequences for non-compliance with the sale mandate?
Non-compliance could lead to the removal of TikTok from app stores and termination of services from providers, along with fines up to $5,000 per user.