TikTok has ceased operations in the United States on January 18, 2025, following the implementation of a federal law mandating the popular video-sharing platform's ban.
Users began receiving shutdown notices around 10:30 PM Eastern time, with the app simultaneously being removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. TikTok's in-app message informed users about the ban's enactment while hinting at a potential temporary nature of the suspension.
Notice to Advertisers
TikTok sent notifications to its advertising partners regarding the suspension, stating that ads would no longer be shown to US audiences while the app remains unavailable. The platform informed advertisers they can continue using TikTok API for Business to run advertising campaigns, presumably for audiences outside the US market. The company emphasized its efforts to restore the app's functionality as quickly as possible.
The ban stems from legislation passed in April 2024 with bipartisan support, requiring ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to either sell the platform or face a US ban due to Chinese surveillance concerns. The law, signed by President Biden, has now taken effect despite recent developments.
President-elect Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to work toward reinstating TikTok and has suggested he would "most likely" grant a 90-day extension once taking office on Monday. This stance marks a shift from his previous position during his first administration.
The platform's shutdown occurred after the Supreme Court upheld the ban legislation, and the Biden administration opted to defer implementation decisions to the incoming Trump administration. TikTok proceeded with the shutdown despite White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterizing the move as "a stunt."
The ban has created opportunities for alternative platforms, with Chinese-owned apps like RedNote and Lemon8 seeing increased user migration. Various potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok's 170 million US users, including businessman Frank McCourt and Perplexity AI.
ByteDance maintains its position against selling TikTok, though reports suggest optimism about negotiations under the upcoming Trump administration. A spokesperson dismissed reports of a potential sale to Elon Musk as "pure fiction."
