TikTok goes offline in US, disappears from Apple, Google app stores

Chinese-owned social media app TikTok went offline in the US on Sunday as a ban on its services in the country went into effect.

TikTok became unavailable in Apple and Google app stores in the US.

Recommended For You

Sky View Development enrolls in Dubai Land Department’s first-time home buyers initiative

Look: Sonam Kapoor wears Dubai-based designer's creation for international beauty campaign

UAE to combine traditional Emirati medicine with healthcare, says health minister

Trump says US talks with Iran 'very good'; more negotiations expected

Getting Ramadan-ready? Here are 7 spiritual items in high demand

 

US President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he would "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban after he takes office on Monday.

Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Under a law passed last year and upheld on Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform had until Sunday to cut ties with its China-based parent ByteDance or shut down its US operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security.

"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. 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," the message notified users trying to use the app late on Saturday night.

Even if temporary, the unprecedented shutdown of TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, is set to have a wide-ranging impact on US-China relations, US domestic politics, the social media marketplace and millions of Americans who depend on the app economically and culturally.

The United States has never banned a major social media platform. The law passed overwhelmingly by Congress gives the incoming Trump administration sweeping authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps.

Other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app CapCut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in US app stores as of late Saturday.

ALSO READ:

Trump says he may delay TikTok ban in US for 90 days; app sends alert to users

TikTok warns it will go dark in US on Sunday unless Biden govt intervenes

TikTok faces ban in US after Supreme Court upholds law