Source : THE AGE NEWS
TikTok has shut its US users out of the social media platform just hours ahead of a deadline that would see the app banned in the country.
Users took to other social media platforms such as X to report being locked out of the app, posting images of a pop-up message which says it “isn’t available right now”.
Popular video sharing social media platform TikTok has shut its US users out of the platform.Credit: nnamikala.theocharous
“A law banning TikTok 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 for a solution!”
President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday (US time) that he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban after he takes office on Monday.
The message displayed to US TikTok users on Sunday.
“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
Under a law passed last year and upheld on Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday morning (4pm AEDT) to cut ties with its China-based parent ByteDance or shut down its US operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security.
The outgoing Biden administration reiterated on Saturday that it was up to the incoming administration to take action.
“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Reports from US media also indicated the app was unavailable in the Apple and Google app stores. TikTok is still available in Australia; the ban only affects US users.
US search engine start-up Perplexity AI submitted a bid on Saturday to ByteDance for Perplexity to merge with TikTok US, a source familiar with the company’s plans told Reuters. Perplexity would merge with TikTok US and create a new entity by combining the merged company with other partners, the person added.
However, finding a buyer for the immensely popular app is difficult given its estimated valuation of $US50 billion ($80 billion).
More to come.
With Reuters
