TikTok has stopped working in the U.S. after a new law banning the app officially began. According to the BBC, late Saturday night, U.S. users received a message on TikTok saying the app could no longer be used because the ban was now in effect.
This comes after months of debate about TikTok’s ties to China, with the government worried that its Chinese owner, ByteDance, might share user data with Beijing.
TikTok had until January 19 to sell its U.S. operations to avoid the ban, but no deal was made. The BBC reports that President Joe Biden said he would leave the matter to Donald Trump, who will take over as president on Monday.
Trump hinted he might delay the ban by 90 days, calling it a fair option. He told NBC News that a final decision would likely be announced once he’s in office.
As of now, TikTok has been removed from Apple and Google app stores in the U.S., and its website no longer shows videos. Users shared goodbye messages before the app went offline, with some creators telling the BBC the ban would hurt their income.
Nicole Bloomgarden, a TikTok influencer, said she would lose a big chunk of her salary, while another user, Erika Thompson, said educational content disappearing from TikTok would be the greatest loss.
The BBC also noted that this is the first time the U.S. has ever banned a major social media platform. TikTok has argued that the ban violates free speech rights for its 170 million U.S. users.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, thanked Trump for being open to working on a solution, even as he plans to attend Trump’s inauguration.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that the UK does not plan to follow America’s lead. A government minister told the outlet on Sunday that TikTok doesn’t pose a major security risk for everyday users in Britain. However, the app has been banned on UK government devices since 2023, just to be safe.
This situation highlights how governments are growing more concerned about the security of popular apps, with the BBC reminding us that tensions between countries can directly affect the platforms millions rely on for entertainment and income.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6p1g54q85o