WASHINGTON, D.C, Jan 19, (V7N) – TikTok ceased operations for its US users late Saturday, just hours before a national ban was set to take effect, leaving President-elect Donald Trump unable to intervene until he assumes office.

A message on the app notified users: "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now." The message expressed optimism, noting Trump’s pledge to "work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office."

The US Supreme Court upheld the ban on Friday, citing national security concerns unless TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app to non-Chinese buyers by the deadline.

TikTok has garnered widespread popularity, transforming everyday users into viral celebrities. Trump himself credited the platform for helping him connect with younger voters, aiding his November election victory.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump suggested he could extend the deadline by 90 days after his inauguration, stating, "The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done because it's appropriate." A formal announcement is expected on Monday.

ByteDance, however, has refused to sell TikTok outright. The Biden administration deferred the issue to Trump, with White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre dismissing TikTok’s optimism as a "stunt."

TikTok CEO Shou Chew expressed gratitude toward Trump, saying the president-elect “truly understands our platform” and reaffirming a commitment to finding a resolution. Chew is also expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.

The law mandates Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, blocking new downloads. Violations could result in fines of up to $5,000 per user. Oracle, TikTok’s US server host, is also obligated to enforce the ban.

Rival platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are expected to benefit, while many users have preemptively migrated to Xiaohongshu ("Little Red Book"), a Chinese app resembling Instagram, which became the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.

Amid the shutdown, Perplexity AI, a prominent startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, proposed a merger with TikTok's US subsidiary, potentially avoiding a complete sale.

According to sources, this joint venture could be worth at least $50 billion. Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt also made an offer to acquire TikTok’s US operations, partnering with Canadian investor Kevin O'Leary. ByteDance was reportedly offered $20 billion in this deal.

Despite the proposals, legal experts warn that any executive order from Trump to halt the ban may conflict with the law, which Congress designed to limit presidential authority.

"If an executive order conflicts with an existing law, the law takes precedence," said Sarah Kreps, a professor of law and government at Cornell University.

The resolution of the TikTok ban now hinges on potential legal, political, and business negotiations under the incoming Trump administration.

END/WD/RH/