TikTok notifies U.S. users of shutdown as Trump seeks last-ditch solution

TikTok notifies US users of temporary shutdown due to impending ban, while Trump considers a 90-day reprieve.

TikTok warned users in the United States late Saturday (January 18, 2025) that the app would soon become "temporarily unavailable" as a law banning it in the country was set to take effect — though President-elect Donald Trump said he was considering a reprieve.

"We regret that a US law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable," read a notification to US users who opened the app Saturday night.

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

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After months of legal tussles, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday (January 17) upheld a law that would ban the popular video-sharing platform in the name of national security, unless its Chinese owners reach a deal to sell it to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday.

Only months after overwhelmingly backing the law, lawmakers and officials were now fretting about the ban, with all eyes on whether Trump can swoop in and find a way to save the app.

From teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips, TikTok has been embraced for its ability to transform ordinary users into global celebrities when a video goes viral.