After months of consideration, TikTok has officially suspended its service in the United States. The social media app used by 170 million Americans was shut down just as a federal ban was set to officially go into effect starting Sunday.
Users attempting to access this application will see the message ‘Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable. A law has been enacted in the United States that bans TikTok. Unfortunately, this means that TikTok is not available at this time. ” notification was displayed.
vote
Do you think the federal government’s ban on social media platforms is justified?
The app’s last hope rests with President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, and the app’s shutdown message also mentioned working with Trump to reverse the decision. The message read, “We are fortunate that President Trump is willing to work with us on a solution to bring TikTok back once he takes office. Stay tuned!”
Just before the ban went into effect, President Trump gave TikTok an additional 90 days to negotiate a deal, potentially avoiding a U.S. ban on the app.
President Trump told NBC News that he is considering offering temporary relief to TikTok after taking office on Monday, although he has not reached a final conclusion.
Additionally, the New York Times reported that Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s chief executive, will receive an invitation to the presidential inauguration, where he will sit in a “position of honor.”
The ban comes after President Joe Biden signed into law last year Congress enacted legislation requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell its U.S. operations to an approved buyer within nine months. It was received and carried out. The law prohibits internet hosting services or mobile app marketplaces from making TikTok available to American users. Nevertheless, if the sale process is underway, the sitting president has the power to extend the deadline.
TikTok responded by saying it had received multiple offers to comply with U.S. government requirements. Well-respected startup Perplexity AI has submitted an 11th-hour proposal to merge with TikTok’s U.S. subsidiary, according to people familiar with the negotiations who spoke to AFP. This arrangement could allow ByteDance to present an alternative that does not require a complete sale of the application.
First reported by US broadcaster CNBC, the proposed plan would combine the assets of TikTok and Perplexity AI, which has an investment from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, to create a new joint venture. It was to be established.
The proposal did not specify a deal value, but sources suggested it would likely exceed $50 billion.
Additionally, former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has put his name forward for TikTok’s U.S. operations, saying he is “ready to work with the company and President Trump to complete the transaction.”
Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, who is participating in McCourt’s bid, told Fox News that ByteDance has received a $20 billion offer for TikTok’s U.S. operations.
