The TikTok app logo is shown on an iPhone on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Houston. (Associated Press Photo/Ashley Landis)

WASHINGTON — TikTok disconnected access to its users in the United States late Saturday shortly before a national ban on the app was to take effect, with President-elect Donald Trump unable to intervene until he takes office.

free slot machines to play

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US,” said a message to users attempting to use the app. “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,” the message added. “Please stay tuned!”

Article continues after this advertisement

After months of legal tussles, the US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that would ban the popular video-sharing platform in the name of national security, unless its Chinese owners reach a deal to sell it to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday.

FEATURED STORIES TECHNOLOGY AI antivenom shows 100% success rate against lethal cobra venom TECHNOLOGY Accounting technicians can boost Philippine economy – group TECHNOLOGY Ransomware incidents increased by 11% in 2024, says Check Point

From teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips, TikTok has been embraced for its ability to transform ordinary users into global celebrities when a video goes viral.

It also has a fan in Trump, who has credited the app with connecting him to younger voters, contributing to his election victory in November.

Article continues after this advertisement

After discussing TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump told NBC News on Saturday that he could activate a 90-day reprieve after he reclaims the Oval Office.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” he said, ahead of Monday’s inauguration.

Article continues after this advertisement

“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

The law allows a 90-day delay if the White House can show progress toward a viable deal, but TikTok owner ByteDance has flatly refused any sale.

Article continues after this advertisement

The administration of outgoing President Joe Biden has said it will leave the matter to Trump, and White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre qualified TikTok’s latest statements as a “stunt.”

After the court defeat, TikTok CEO Shou Chew appealed to Trump, thanking him for his “commitment to work with us to find a solution.”

Trump “truly understands our platform,” he added.

Chew is also set to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

The law requires Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, blocking new downloads. The companies could face penalties of up to $5,000 per user who can access the app.

Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, would also be legally obligated to enforce the ban.

None of the companies responded to requests for comment on Saturday.

Offers for TikTok 

A last-minute proposal made Saturday by the highly-valued start-up Perplexity AI offered a merger with the US subsidiary of TikTok, a source with knowledge of the deal told AFP.

That deal could allow parent company ByteDance a possible solution without selling off the app entirely.

The plan, first reported by US broadcaster CNBC, would create a new joint venture combining the assets of US TikTok and Perplexity AI, which has been backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The proposal did not include a price for the transaction, but the source estimated it would be at least $50 billion.

Frank McCourt, the former Los Angeles Dodgers owner, has also made an offer to purchase TikTok’s US activity and said he’s “ready to work with the company and President Trump to complete a deal.”

According to the group, the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) is seeking feedback from stakeholders on recommendations to follow several measures as they received a bulletin from the government body informing them of five international standards on textiles published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) intended for adoption under the Philippine National Standards (PNS).

Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, who is involved in that offer, told Fox News that ByteDance was offered $20 billion for TikTok’s US operation.

He acknowledged the legal uncertainty over the case, with it remaining an open question whether an executive order by Trump to halt the ban would override the law.

“Congress wrote this law to be virtually president-proof,” warned Adam Kovacevich, chief executive of industry trade group Chamber of Progress.

Sarah Kreps, a professor of government and law at Cornell University, said that “if an executive order conflicts with an existing law, the law takes precedence, and the order can be struck down by the courts.”

With TikTok forced into a shutdown, its US-based rivals Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts could reap benefits.

Thousands of worried TikTok users have protectively turned to Xiaohongshu (“Little Red Book”), a Chinese social media network similar to Instagram.

Nicknamed “Red Note” by its American users, it was the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.

RELATED STORIES:

TikTok users brace for ban: ‘More sad than shocked’

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TikTok’s US future in limbo after Supreme Court rulingrbet

TOPICS: Tiktok, United States READ NEXT TikTok shuts down US access as Trump seeks app’s reinsta... President-elect launches $Trump Coin days before inauguration EDITORS' PICK No classes in Cebu City on Jan. 20 after Sinulog Festival 2025 Israel says truce with Hamas begins, after delay Showbiz Roundup: Vic Sotto, Darryl Yap face off in court; MMFF 2024 box office JC 2025 kick-off: Unveiling new era of wealth, innovation, global growth Legarda hails Gaza ceasefire deal, calls for sustainable peace solutions Disney hit with $10 billion lawsuit for allegedly plagiarizing ‘Moana’ MOST READ Marcos urged not to interfere in VP Duterte's impeachment case WPS: Deadlines, ultimatums vs China ‘monster ship’ beyond PCG mandate – Tarriela DSWD comes to viral sampaguita girl’s aid; PNP summons mall guard PH gets $905-M loan for big Laguna project Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments