TikTok stops working for US users

TikTok, the wildly popular short-video platform used by nearly half of all Americans, went offline in the U.S. on Saturday after a federal ban took effect.

The ban, which has sparked significant controversy, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over national security and digital freedom.

Users attempting to access TikTok were greeted with a message:

"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned."

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban on Friday, citing national security concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The ruling affirmed the government's argument that the app poses a potential risk to American data privacy and security.

President Joe Biden, however, did not invoke a 90-day delay in implementing the law, leaving companies like Apple and Google, which host TikTok on their app stores, in a precarious legal position. Service providers to TikTok could face significant financial liabilities for continuing their operations.

Legal experts suggested that former President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for TikTok, could direct his Justice Department to deprioritize enforcement of the law if he reclaims office. However, it remains unclear if such a directive would offer sufficient legal cover for companies involved with TikTok.

The ban follows years of tension over TikTok’s data handling practices and its ties to the Chinese government. Trump's previous attempts to ban the app in 2020 were blocked by U.S. courts, but the current ruling solidifies the legal groundwork for restricting TikTok's operations.

The blackout has left small businesses, influencers, and millions of users scrambling to adjust to a world without TikTok, while debates over the balance between security and digital freedom continue to intensify.