TikTok shuts down across U.S. as new prohibition law takes effect
TikTok shut down its services across the U.S. late Saturday, cutting off both its app and website access to millions of Americans.
The Chinese company unsuccessfully fought to escape a ban passed by lawmakers and signed by President Joe Biden last year. The Supreme Court upheld the law allowing the ban to take effect on January 20.
But after saying it would shut down on Sunday, U.S. time, the company withdrew its services on Saturday night at about 10:30 on the East Coast.
TikTok rebuffed all attempts to force its sale to American investors, intensifying speculation that it was a Chinese intelligence operation.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” a message on TikTok said to American visitors. “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!”
President-elect Donald Trump signalled on Saturday that when he takes office on January 20 he will give the frontline social media platform, used by over 170 million Americans, a 90-day extension to divest to American businesses.
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