TikTok Ban Enforced in U.S., Access Blocked Nationwide

The popular social media platform TikTok has been officially banned in the United States, leaving users unable to access the app within its borders. When attempting to use TikTok, users are now met with a message stating, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now." The message further explains, "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! In the meantime, you can still download your data."

TikTok made a last-ditch effort to appeal the ban to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the court unanimously upheld the decision last week. Despite acknowledging that many other apps collect extensive data, the Supreme Court emphasized the potential harm posed by TikTok. "There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community," the court stated. "But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights."

TikTok is hopeful that the incoming U.S. President, Donald Trump, will reverse the ban upon taking office on January 20. In an interview with NBC News on January 18, Trump mentioned he would "most likely" delay the ban for 90 days. This delay could provide an opportunity for a buyer from the United States or one of its allies to purchase the app, a step that has not yet been taken and which precipitated the ban. As a result of the ban, other apps linked to TikTok's parent company ByteDance, such as CapCut, Lemon8, and Marvel Snap, have also gone offline.