TikTok, Shuts Down in the U.S. Ahead of Ban and experienced an unexpected outage across the United States on Saturday night that left social media users stranded.
The timing couldn’t have been more peculiar, as it came just hours before a highly anticipated nationwide ban was set to take effect.
The sudden blackout left millions of users bewildered, taking to other social media platforms to express their frustration and speculate about the cause.
Was it a technical glitch, or a deliberate move by the company in response to the impending ban? The mystery deepened as TikTok remained silent, adding fuel to the already rampant online speculation.
TikTokDown quickly started trending, with users sharing memes, theories, and even farewell messages to the app that has been a staple of their daily digital lives.
Some speculated that the outage was a strategic play by TikTok to gauge the public's reaction or to make a last-minute statement against the ban. Others saw it as a sign of the app's vulnerability in the face of mounting political pressure.
The outage, lasting several hours, sparked a digital uproar, highlighting the app's massive influence and the deep connection its users have with the platform.
It also brought to light the potential impact of the ban, not only on the company's operations but also on the social fabric of its millions of users.
The shutdown leaves 170 million American users without access to one of the world’s most popular social media apps.
Upon opening the app, users were greeted with the message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
This action follows the Supreme Court’s Friday decision to uphold a bipartisan law banning TikTok unless it is sold to a U.S.-based or allied buyer. Signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, the ban cites national security concerns tied to TikTok’s Chinese ownership.
However, TikTok hinted at a potential return, stating it could be operational again as early as Monday. A pop-up message to users mentioned collaboration with President-elect Donald Trump, who suggested he may delay the ban for 90 days after taking office.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump said, “The 90-day extension is something we’ll most likely do. It’s appropriate to give us time to look at the situation carefully.” He plans to announce his decision Monday.
The ban also led to TikTok’s removal from the Apple App Store and Google Play, along with other apps owned by parent company ByteDance, like CapCut. The law has forced U.S.-based service providers to cease hosting TikTok’s data, fearing liability under the new legislation.
TikTok’s sudden shutdown is the latest development in a months-long saga. Influencers and small businesses reliant on the platform expressed concern but remain hopeful for a resolution. Meanwhile, Trump, who first raised alarms about TikTok five years ago, has positioned himself as a potential savior for the app, citing its popularity.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration Monday. ByteDance has yet to comment on the blackout.
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