The app’s availability in the U.S. has been thrown into jeopardy over data privacy and national security concerns.
The popular video app stopped working shortly after signaling to users it might go offline, with a federal law barring U.S. companies from hosting or distributing TikTok set to take effect on Sunday.
TikTok users in the United States attempting to use the app have been locked out as a ban takes effect, saying they can't use it "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 TikTok landing page reads
It's not the first time TikTok has sent a politically motivated pop-up message about the U.S. government's efforts to ban the app due to concerns over its Chinese ownership. In March 2024, the app asked users to call their representatives to ask for an end to the ban.
Challenges came in tandem with TikTok’s success. U.S. officials expressed concerns about the company’s roots and ownership, pointing to laws in China that require Chinese companies to hand over data requested by the government. Another concern became the proprietary algorithm that populates what users see on the app.
With a TikTok ban scheduled to go into effect in the United States on Sunday, many users began to see messages preventing them from using the app when they opened it after 10 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
TikTok's app was removed from prominent app stores in the US - just before a federal law that would have banned the popular social media platform was scheduled to go into effect.
TikTok's app was removed from prominent app stores on Saturday evening just before a federal law that bans the popular social media platform went into effect.
TikTok went offline in the United States Saturday night, less than two hours before a ban was slated to go into effect. The extraordinary blackout prevents access to one of the world’s most popular social media apps – one that had been used by 170 million Americans.
TikTok's U.S. ban arrived earlier than expected, logging users out abruptly on Saturday night before midnight ET. See how users are reacting to the sudden shutdown.