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TikTok Goes Dark in US as Ban Takes Effect, Despite Biden Admin's Dismissal
Starfolk
January 19, 2025
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3 min read
TikTok and its sister app CapCut have started to shut down in the US, following a ban-or-divest law that took effect on January 19th. The move comes despite the Biden administration's claims that it had passed enforcement responsibilities to the Trump administration and dismissing TikTok's threat to go offline as a "stunt".
Starting from 9PM ET on Saturday evening, users of both apps began receiving a warning message stating that a US law banning TikTok would take effect on January 19th, forcing the services to become temporarily unavailable. The message assured users that the company was working to restore its service in the US as soon as possible and appreciated their support.
By 10:30PM ET, both apps began blocking users, displaying a message that TikTok "isn't available right now" due to the enacted ban. The message expressed hope for a resolution under President-elect Trump, citing his indication to work with the company on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.
According to an internal email to employees, TikTok believes that without clearer assurances, it has to close its services in the US. The email stated that "teams are working tirelessly to bring our app back to the U.S. as soon as possible".
The development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing saga surrounding TikTok's presence in the US. The ban-or-divest law, passed last year, has been a subject of controversy, with the Biden administration and TikTok engaging in a war of words over its enforcement.
The shutdown of TikTok and CapCut in the US is likely to have significant implications for the social media landscape, as well as the millions of users who rely on the platforms for entertainment and self-expression. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the new administration will approach the issue and whether a resolution can be reached.
For now, users in the US are left with a warning message and a promise of a resolution, as TikTok and CapCut remain dark in the country. The Verge will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
