Ioana Dorhoi, PhD – Government Relations and Public Affairs

Washington, D.C. – January 19, 2025

TikTok has officially ceased its operations in the United States, voluntarily shutting down access to its platform for tens of millions of American users. This dramatic move follows a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a federal law mandating the company’s Chinese parent, ByteDance, to divest its ownership of the app or face a nationwide ban.

The law, passed by Congress in 2024, set a deadline of January 19, 2025, for ByteDance to either sell its stake in TikTok or risk removal from U.S. app stores and hosting services. ByteDance argued that a sale was not feasible and mounted a legal challenge, which was unanimously dismissed by the Supreme Court on Friday. The court ruled that the law did not infringe on the free speech rights of TikTok or its 170 million U.S. users, aligning with government concerns that the app posed a significant national security threat due to potential data sharing with China.

TikTok Preempts Enforcement

Although the Biden administration deferred enforcement of the law to the incoming Trump administration, TikTok preemptively took itself offline before the midnight deadline on Sunday. Late Saturday night, U.S. users attempting to access the app were met with a stark message:

“Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. 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!”

Simultaneously, the app was removed from the Apple and Google Play stores, effectively cutting off new downloads and updates.

A Standoff with the White House

TikTok’s Friday statement warned it would “be forced to go dark” if no assurance was given by the Biden administration to prevent enforcement of the law. However, the White House dismissed the appeal as a “stunt” and urged the company to address its concerns with the next administration.

Despite these developments, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. President Trump has hinted at potential negotiations to reinstate the app, leaving millions of users and creators in limbo.

Implications for Users and National Security

The app’s shutdown marks a significant turning point in U.S.-China relations, as the ban reflects heightened concerns over the security risks posed by foreign-owned platforms. The government contends that TikTok could enable mass data collection by the Chinese government, endangering sensitive information on U.S. citizens.

For now, TikTok’s massive U.S. user base has been left without a platform, and its creators face a sudden halt to their content and revenue streams. The app’s shutdown also sets a precedent for how future tech companies with foreign ties might be treated under U.S. law.

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the tech industry, users, and policymakers will closely watch whether a resolution can be reached or if TikTok’s absence becomes permanent.