Apple and Google have removed TikTok from their app stores, following a law that requires China’s ByteDance to divest the app or face a ban in the U.S. This decision came after the Supreme Court upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed by President Biden in April. As a result, U.S. users can no longer download TikTok, and the app will cease to function unless the Biden administration intervenes.
When users try to access TikTok on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, they see messages indicating that the app is not available. TikTok’s website also displays a notice stating that the app is currently unavailable due to the law. Another ByteDance app, Lemon8, is similarly affected, showing a message that it is not available in the U.S.
The law mandates that service providers stop supporting TikTok if ByteDance does not complete a “qualified divestiture” by the deadline. Failure to comply could lead to penalties for Apple, Google, and Oracle, which provides cloud services to TikTok. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, argues that using TikTok is a First Amendment right and highlights that over 7 million American businesses rely on the platform for revenue and customer engagement.
Chew expressed optimism about TikTok’s future, promising to maintain it as a creative outlet. He thanked President-elect Donald Trump, who previously sought to pause the law’s implementation, allowing for a political resolution. Trump is expected to announce a decision regarding TikTok soon, potentially granting a 90-day extension on the divestiture deadline.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed TikTok’s claims of going dark as a “stunt,” stating that the next administration will handle the law’s implementation. Trump indicated that he would likely extend the deadline, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the situation.
In addition to these developments, Perplexity AI, an artificial intelligence startup, has submitted a bid to combine its operations with TikTok’s U.S. segment. Businessman Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty has also proposed to buy TikTok from ByteDance, claiming to be the only bidder capable of separating the app from its Chinese algorithm.
In April 2024, Elon Musk expressed his opinion on TikTok, stating that banning the app would contradict American values of freedom of speech and expression, despite potential benefits for his platform, X. The situation surrounding TikTok remains dynamic, with various stakeholders involved in its future.
Elon Musk is also thinking about bringing back Vine, the short video platform that closed in 2017. This idea comes as talks about banning TikTok in the US are gaining traction. Many believe that reviving Vine could provide a new option for users looking for alternatives to TikTok.
The news has generated excitement among fans and media outlets. People are eager to see Vine return, as it once played a significant role in shaping online video culture. The discussions around Vine’s revival highlight a sense of nostalgia for its previous impact on social media.
