Home US TikTok is officially dying… but the banned app says ‘stay tuned’ for Trump intervention

TikTok is officially dying… but the banned app says ‘stay tuned’ for Trump intervention

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TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions have created and shared short videos, officially went dark for U.S. users on Saturday evening

TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions have created and shared short videos, officially went off the air for American users on Saturday evening.

The popular social media app has issued a statement to its users regarding the abrupt shutdown that was initially set to take effect on Sunday.

‘A law has been passed in the US banning the popular video-sharing app. Unfortunately, this means you won’t be able to use TikTok for the time being,” the message reads.

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned!’

Last year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells its shares by Monday.

As US officials highlighted the app’s potential national security risk, TikTok, along with some users and creators, filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the ban.

Ahead of the app’s demise this weekend, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban “did not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,” upholding an earlier appellate court ruling.

Despite the court’s ruling, Trump — who asked the Supreme Court to delay enforcement of the ban — has expressed interest in potentially reversing the court’s decision after his second term begins.

TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions have created and shared short videos, officially went dark for U.S. users on Saturday evening

The popular social media app has issued a statement to its users regarding the expected closure

The popular social media app has issued a statement to its users regarding the expected closure

“The Supreme Court’s ruling was expected, and everyone must respect it,” the new president wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. “My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I need time to assess the situation. Stay tuned!’

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew – who will attend Trump’s second inauguration – previously said the app was “grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform.”

“On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all of our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to working with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Chew added.

“This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”

Although users cannot post videos under the ban, they can still access and download their data.

Despite the ban being upheld in court, President Biden had previously indicated he would not enforce it, leaving the controversial app’s fate to Trump after he took the oath of office for the second time.

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