TikTok Goes Dark in the US as Trump Promises Possible 90-Day Reprieve

WASHINGTON: TikTok has officially ceased operations in the United States as of late Saturday night, disappearing from app stores and leaving its 170 million American users scrambling. The shutdown comes ahead of a law mandating TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or halt its U.S. operations due to national security concerns.

The social media giant displayed a farewell message to users:
"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he may provide a 90-day reprieve, so stay tuned."

The shutdown marks an unprecedented move by the U.S., with repercussions expected to ripple through tech markets, U.S.-China relations, and millions of creators reliant on TikTok’s platform.

Trump's Role in TikTok’s Future

While TikTok’s suspension is currently in effect, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at granting the app a 90-day reprieve after taking office.
"The 90-day extension is likely and will be announced soon," Trump said in an interview, fueling hopes of a resolution.

However, rivals like Meta and Snap are already benefitting, with their shares rising as users explore alternatives such as RedNote.

Impact of TikTok Shutdown

• Economic Loss: Thousands of businesses using TikTok Shop for e-commerce face disruptions.
• User Migration: Millions of users are shifting to other platforms like Instagram and RedNote.
• Market Shake-Up: The ban has sparked speculation about acquisitions, with suitors like Elon Musk and Frank McCourt reportedly showing interest in TikTok’s U.S. operations.
  
  

  China’s Reaction and Global Tensions

  The Chinese government has condemned the move as an abuse of state power. A spokesperson stated, “China will take necessary measures to protect its interests.”

  In the U.S., web searches for VPN services surged as users tried to bypass the ban and access the app.