TikTok Removed from Apple and Google App Stores in the US

TikTok has reportedly stopped working for users around the United States and was removed on Monday from the Apple and Google app stores as the newly passed law against the app kicked in.

It said in a statement to its 170 million American users, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” The message also added, “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!”

As the ban on TikTok was set to begin, President-elect Donald Trump seemed to hint that he would offer a 90-day reprieve to the app after his inauguration on January 20. He told NBC News in an interview that the extension would probably be given “because it is appropriate.”

Late Saturday, the users of TikTok who tried to log in were met with a pop-up message that read: “The law will force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We’re working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible.”

The US Supreme Court has upheld the law on Friday based on national security concerns as the app is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. The law, according to ByteDance, infringes upon free speech. The Court decided that national security concerns outweigh those arguments.

The exact number of users still able to access TikTok remains unclear. However, millions of Americans were blocked from using the platform, both on the app and website.

The White House again said any future moves in regards to the TikTok ban would be up to the incoming Trump administration. Karine Jean-Pierre, outgoing Biden administration’s press secretary stated, “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday.”
In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the US of unfairly using state power to suppress TikTok, declaring it would “take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”