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TikTok users in the United States of America were on Saturday thrown offline just hours before a new law banning the platform was set to take effect.

A message displayed on the TikTok app for US users stated that the law banning TikTok had been enacted. It also added that “you can’t use TikTok for now.”

The message also expressed hope for a resolution, saying, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.”

The shutdown follows TikTok’s earlier warning that it would “go dark” on Sunday. This, it said will happen unless the Biden administration provided assurances that the ban would not be enforced.

However, the US President-elect, Donald Trump has hinted at granting the platform a 90-day reprieve after his inauguration on Monday.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump said in an NBC interview on Saturday. He added, “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

Users have reported the app being removed from both Apple’s and Google’s US app stores. While TikTok’s website has stopped displaying videos.

Indication is that the White House has left the matter of the ban for the incoming administration to address.

“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,” Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Recall that on Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a law passed in April last year, mandating TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by Sunday or face a ban. TikTok had argued that the law infringes on free speech protections for its 170 million US users.

Following the ruling, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, appealed to Trump. Thanking him for his “commitment to work with us to find a solution.” Chew is also expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

In the hours leading to the shutdown, TikTok creators posted farewell videos. Nicole Bloomgarden told the BBC that losing TikTok would significantly impact her income. While Erika Thompson described the potential loss of educational content on the platform as “the biggest loss” for the community.

TikTok users encountered a message on Saturday stating that the law would “force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We’re working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible.”

Speaking to NBC News, Trump stated that a formal announcement on the matter would likely come on Monday. This is after his inauguration as President of the United States.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News.

He reiterated a similar stance during a conversation with ABC News.

“Well, I have the right as you know, I’m the one who is going to be calling the shots. Most likely, I’ll extend for 90 days – you have the extension for 90 days as you probably know. I’ll do that until we figure something out,” Trump said.

TikTok, had in a statement on Friday, accused the White House and the Department of Justice of failing to provide “the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability.”

However, White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed TikTok’s claims as “a stunt.”

She stated on Saturday, “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.

“We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly. Actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So, TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them,” Jean-Pierre said.

Trump also revealed on Friday that he had discussed TikTok during a recent conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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