TikTok goes dark for US users ahead of Trump’s inauguration

As a result of a federal ban on the popular app, millions of Americans who use TikTok are no longer able to watch videos on the social media platform.

The platform’s use was prohibited by the newly enacted US law, which was effective on Sunday, one day before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Following months of legal battles and increased scrutiny of TikTok’s ownership in China, the ban came into effect.

A message to users attempting to use the app, which is used by 170 million Americans, read, “A law has been enacted in the US.” “Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now”.

Trump said in a Saturday interview with the NBC News network that he was considering giving TikTok a 90-day extension to keep running. If such an extension happens, Trump – who once favoured a TikTok ban – said it would “probably” be announced on Monday, the day that he is sworn in as president.

Shou Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is expected to have a comfortable seat at Trump’s inauguration.

In its message to US users, the app stated, “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”!

On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld a law mandating the app’s ban unless parent company ByteDance divests TikTok’s US operations. Officials claim that the decision poses a threat to national security, and it represents a significant escalation in efforts to restrict the app.

The Biden administration argued in court that the Chinese government might be able to access the law by citing concerns that TikTok gathers a lot of US user data.

Officials have also warned that Chinese authorities might use subtle and difficult-to-detect measures to manipulate the app’s algorithm, which determines what content users view.

However, the US has not yet provided evidence that TikTok has honed its algorithm in a way that serves Chinese interests.

ByteDance has denied any wrongdoing and has resisted calls to sell its US operations, leaving the platform in limbo.

Apple and Google must remove TikTok from their app stores in the US, preventing new downloads. The businesses could be subject to fines of up to $5, 000 per user who uses the app.

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

Meanwhile, US-based competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to benefit from TikTok’s forced absence.

Another Chinese platform, Xiaohongshu, meaning Little Red Book, has gained traction among American users, becoming the most downloaded app on Apple’s US store this week.

Several investors have proposed last-minute solutions to keep TikTok operational.

According to reports in the media, Jeff Bezos’ startup Perplexity AI filed a proposal to combine with TikTok’s US business to form a new entity, which might allow ByteDance to retain some ownership.

Other offers, including a $20bn bid from a consortium led by Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary and billionaire Frank McCourt, remain under consideration.

Experts warn that the ban could face legal challenges even if Trump signs an executive order to delay it.

Source: Aljazeera