Final hours before TikTok ban

Social media giant TikTok goes dark in the US following a Supreme Court ruling.

The TikTok logo is displayed on a billboard in Times Square, New York City, on January 17, 2025. Photo by Leonardo Munoz/AFP/Getty Images

By Nada Fadiyah and Alana Salsabila

Late Saturday night, millions of TikTok users across the United States faced an unexpected and sobering reality: the app had gone dark. A message greeted users saying, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” signaling the enforcement of a federal law banning the Chinese-owned platform. The blackout followed a Supreme Court decision upholding the law, which mandated that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, sell the app to a non-Chinese owner or cease operations in the US by Sunday.

This historic move marked the first time the United States blocked a widely used app essentially overnight, leaving TikTok’s 170 million American users without access. The sudden shutdown also affected ByteDance’s sister app, Lemon8, which displayed a similar unavailability message to its US audience.

As the clock ticked down to the ban’s enforcement, the mood on TikTok grew somber. Popular content creators, such as Alix Earle, who boasts 7.2 million followers, took to the platform to express their heartbreak. In an emotional post, Earle shared, “This platform is more than an app or a job to me. I have so many memories here. I’ve posted every day for the past six years.”

Others spent their final moments recreating viral dances and sharing nostalgic montages of favorite trends and songs, particularly those from the early pandemic days when TikTok surged in popularity. By 9 p.m. Eastern Time, the app displayed a pop-up message stating its services would soon be unavailable, and shortly after, TikTok went offline in the United States.

The ban stems from national security concerns over ByteDance’s ties to China. Lawmakers argued that TikTok’s vast collection of user data posed risks of potential surveillance or influence by the Chinese government. Passed overwhelmingly by Congress last year and signed into law by President Biden, the legislation gave ByteDance a strict deadline to divest its US operations or face a ban.

Despite mounting pressure, TikTok fought to overturn the law in court, citing the significant harm a ban would cause to its user base and creators. The company argued that even a temporary shutdown could permanently damage its operations, with users and influencers flocking to rival platforms. However, TikTok’s legal efforts failed, and the Supreme Court’s decision sealed its fate.

In a last-minute bid for reprieve, TikTok appealed to both the Biden administration and President-elect Donald J. Trump. Trump hinted he might grant a 90-day extension if significant progress toward a sale was made, though details on how such an extension could work remained unclear.

The legislation also imposes penalties on app store operators like Apple and Google and hosting companies such as Oracle for maintaining or distributing the banned app. Apple confirmed it had removed TikTok and Lemon8 from its app store, while users reported that Google had done the same. Under the law, these companies face fines of up to $5,000 per user who can access the banned apps.

TikTok, Apple, and Oracle did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Google declined to issue a statement.

A woman records herself for social media in Times Square, New York City, on January 17, 2025. Photo by Leonardo Munoz/AFP/Getty Images

For ByteDance, the TikTok ban represents a significant blow to its global operations. The US market has been a major source of revenue for the app, thanks to its vast user base and high level of engagement. In legal filings, TikTok warned that losing access to its US audience could result in irreversible damage, as creators and users migrate to other platforms.

Influencers like Earle have already begun exploring alternatives. Hours after TikTok went offline, she appeared on Instagram Live, discussing her plans to shift focus to the rival platform. “We’re just going to have to make it a little more fun on here,” she said.

However, other apps hoping to fill the void, such as RedNote, have yet to gain traction as a long-term replacement.

The TikTok ban has sparked a heated debate about internet freedom and government overreach. In China, the news dominated social media platforms like Weibo. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times, called the ban a “dark moment in internet development,” accusing the US of setting a dangerous precedent for suppressing online platforms under the guise of national security.

Diao Daming, an international relations professor at Renmin University, described the ban as a significant test for President Trump’s second term. Writing in state media, Diao suggested that Trump’s handling of TikTok could influence his standing with “China hawks” in Washington.

While the Biden administration has largely handed over responsibility for enforcing the ban to the incoming Trump administration, questions remain about the path forward. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that no immediate fines or penalties would be enforced, leaving room for potential negotiations.

Trump, who takes office on Monday, has indicated he may explore executive actions to extend TikTok’s deadline or provide temporary relief. However, with the app already offline, such measures may have limited impact.

Members of the Studio1 dance group perform and record videos for social media, including TikTok, in Times Square on January 14, 2025, in New York City. Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images

TikTok’s sudden departure from the US underscores the growing intersection of technology, national security, and geopolitics. As the first major app to be banned under these circumstances, it sets a precedent that could shape future policies toward foreign-owned tech platforms.

For now, TikTok’s millions of American users are left grappling with the loss of a platform that became a cultural phenomenon and a lifeline for many during the pandemic. Whether it finds a way back into the US market remains uncertain, but its legacy as a transformative force in social media is undeniable.

As creators and users adapt to life without TikTok, one thing is clear: the impact of its ban will reverberate far beyond the app itself, influencing the future of digital platforms worldwide.

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