TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions created and shared short videos, has officially gone dark for US users on Saturday evening.
The popular social media app has issued a statement to its users regarding the abrupt shutdown that was initially to go into effect on Sunday.
‘A law banning the popular video sharing app has been enacted in the US Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,’ the message reads.
‘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!’
Last year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sold its stakes by Monday.
While American officials highlighted the app’s potential national security risk, TikTok, along with some users and creators, sued in an effort to block the ban.
Leading up to the app going dark this weekend, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban did ‘not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,’ upholding a previous appeals court ruling.
Despite the court’s ruling, Trump has expressed interest in potentially reversing the decision as his second term starts.
‘The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it,’ the incoming president wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. ‘My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!’
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew – who will be in attendance at Trump’s second inaugural – previously said the app was ‘grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform.’
‘On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thanks President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,’ Chew added.
‘This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.’