Update 20/01/2025 at 00:20 IST, TikTok in a statement on X confirms they are bringing the services back in the United States. “STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK: In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
TikTok is definitely facing a challenging time, at least in the US market. The app was earlier given until January 19th, 2025, to sell its US operations. Now that the deadline has arrived, TikTok’s app and its website have been shut down in the US just before the ban could take effect.
In addition to TikTok, 10 more apps owned by its parent company, ByteDance, have been removed, including:
- TikTok Studio
- TikTok Shop Seller Center
- CapCut
- Lemon8
- Hypic
- Lark – Team Collaboration
- Lark – Rooms Display
- Lark Rooms Controller
- Gauth: AI Study Companion
- MARVEL SNAP
Previously, when TikTok ceased operations, a message was displayed:
“We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We’re working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.”
However, this was later updated to:
“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.”
Tiktok has adjusted their closing message pic.twitter.com/FcnG3BfAcl
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) January 19, 2025
This suggests that the newly elected President Trump may propose a solution.
For now, it remains a waiting game to see what happens next. While the app has been shut down, searches for “How to use TikTok after the ban in the US” have surged. This indicates that several influencers whose livelihood depended on TikTok are now seeking alternatives.
In an interview with NBC, Trump hinted that he may grant a 90-day extension to allow TikTok to find a suitable buyer. From Mr. Beast (a famous YouTuber) to Kevin O’Leary, many have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations.
It’s worth noting that TikTok, along with several other Chinese apps, has already been banned in India, including the popular game PUBG. Interestingly, PUBG has re-entered the Indian market under a new name and ownership as “BGMI“ (Battlegrounds Mobile India).
While hopes are high following Trump’s remarks about TikTok, the app’s future in the US remains uncertain.
