Sun Jan 19 11:50:00 UTC 2025: ## TikTok Shuts Down in US Hours Before Ban Takes Effect; Trump Hints at Reprieve
**Washington D.C.** – TikTok went offline in the United States just hours before a new law banning the platform was set to take effect on January 19th. A message on the app informed users that the ban had been enacted, citing concerns about the app’s links to the Chinese government. The app was also removed from Apple and Google’s US app stores.
The ban, upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a US-approved buyer by Sunday. This deadline was not met, leading to the shutdown. TikTok argued the law violated free speech rights for its 170 million US users.
Before the shutdown, creators shared farewell messages, expressing concern over lost income and the impact on educational content hosted on the platform.
Incoming President Donald Trump, who previously threatened a ban, told NBC News he would likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve. He indicated an announcement would be made on Monday, his inauguration day. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has appealed to Trump and is expected to attend the inauguration. A message appearing on the app expressed optimism about a solution under the Trump administration.
In contrast to the US action, a UK government minister stated that the UK has no current plans to ban TikTok, emphasizing that a threat to national interest would be required to justify such a move. While TikTok has been banned from UK government devices, the minister suggested consumer use doesn’t pose a security risk. The UK government’s position contrasts sharply with the US action. The news of TikTok’s shutdown comes amidst other unrelated news reports concerning immigration and UK-US trade relations.
First Piper 