TikTok has officially gone offline in the United States as a new law banning the app took effect on January 19, 2025.
Users in the US who tried to access TikTok received a message stating that the law banning the platform had been enacted. The message added, “You can’t use TikTok for now,” but assured users that efforts were being made to restore the service.
The ban was enforced due to concerns over TikTok’s links to its China-based parent company, ByteDance, and alleged security risks. The US Supreme Court upheld the law, which required ByteDance to sell TikTok to a US-approved buyer by January 19. ByteDance failed to meet the deadline.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has argued that the ban violates free speech rights for the platform’s 170 million US users. After the ruling, Chew appealed to former President Donald Trump, thanking him for his willingness to find a solution.
Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as US President on Monday, January 20, has suggested granting TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump said, “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.”
The message displayed on TikTok after the ban expressed hope, saying, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.”
Many TikTok creators spent the final hours before the ban posting farewell videos for their followers. Nicole Bloomgarden, a popular creator, said the ban would significantly reduce her income.
Erika Thompson, another user, commented that losing the educational content on TikTok would be the “biggest loss” for the community.
The app has also been removed from both Apple and Google app stores in the US, and TikTok’s website no longer displays videos.
In the UK, there are currently no plans to ban TikTok for general users, though it has been banned on government and parliamentary devices since 2023 due to security concerns.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, told the BBC, “We won’t follow the US path unless there is a direct threat to British interests. For now, consumers posting videos of their cats dancing don’t seem like a security risk.”
TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain as the app awaits further developments under the Trump administration.
