By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – TikTok stopped working in the United States on Saturday evening and disappeared from Apple (NASDAQ:) and Google (NASDAQ:) app stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday requiring the app to be shut down used by 170 million Americans. .
President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day that he would “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve after taking office on Monday, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to the app’s users.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, told users trying to use the app around 10:45 p.m. ET (0345 GMT): “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the United States. Unfortunately, this means that you cannot use TikTok at this time.” We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. “
Other ByteDance-owned apps, including video editing app Capcut and social lifestyle app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in US app stores on Saturday evening.
“The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC. “If I decide to do it, I will probably announce it on Monday.”
TikTok users who logged in Saturday evening received a message saying the law “would require us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We are working to restore our service in the United States as soon as possible.”
It was unclear whether U.S. users could still access the app, but it no longer worked for many users and people seeking to access it through a web app received the same message that TikTok was no longer working.
The Chinese app, which has captivated nearly half of Americans, fueled small businesses and shaped online culture, said Friday that it will no longer be available in the United States on Sunday unless President Joe’s administration Biden does provide assurance to companies such as Apple and Google that they will not be subject to enforcement action when a ban takes effect.
Under a law passed last year and upheld Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday to sever ties with its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or shut down its operations in the states. -United to address concerns that it poses a threat to national security.
The White House reiterated Saturday that it was up to the new administration to act, increasing the likelihood of a Sunday shutdown.
“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take action in the coming days, before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
TikTok did not respond to a request for comment on the new White House statement.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington on Friday accused the United States of using unfair state power to take down TikTok. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said.
