On January 19, 2025, TikTok ceased operations in the United States, affecting approximately 170 million users. This shutdown resulted from a federal law mandating that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest its U.S. operations by the specified date or face a nationwide ban. Consequently, the app was removed from Apple and Google app stores and users attempting to access the platform were met with notifications about its unavailability.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban, citing national security concerns related to data collection and potential influence by the Chinese government. Despite TikTok’s assertions that it poses no such threats, the court ruled that the divest-or-ban ultimatum does not violate the company’s First Amendment rights.
In response to the shutdown, President-elect Donald Trump indicated the possibility of granting a 90-day extension to TikTok post-inauguration, allowing time for ByteDance to negotiate a sale or restructure its U.S. operations. Trump stated, “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate.”
The ban has led to significant disruptions among content creators, businesses, and users who relied on the platform for communication, marketing, and entertainment. Many have begun exploring alternative platforms, with some turning to similar apps to continue their activities.
As the situation develops, stakeholders await official decisions from the incoming administration regarding the future of TikTok in the U.S. The potential extension could provide a window for ByteDance to address regulatory concerns and possibly restore services to millions of American users.
