TikTok is Down in the US: Ban-or-Divest Law Takes Effect

TikTok and CapCut are going dark in the US as the ban-or-divest law enacted last year has now taken effect.

This development comes despite the Biden administration stating that it had already transferred enforcement responsibilities to the Trump administration and labeling TikTok’s threat to cease operations as a “stunt.” However, TikTok has indicated that without clearer assurances, it must cease operations in the US.

Internally, TikTok communicated to employees that “President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office” on January 20th, and that “teams are working tirelessly to bring our app back to the U.S. as soon as possible.”

On Saturday evening, starting at 9PM ET, users of TikTok and CapCut received a warning message stating:

We regret that a US law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19th and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.

We’re working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.

Both applications began blocking users around 10:30PM ET, displaying a message indicating that TikTok “isn’t available right now,” while expressing hope for a resolution under President-elect Trump.

Screenshot: The Verge

Developing…