TikTok officially suspends services in US amid federal ban


TikTok officially suspends services in US amid federal ban

TikTok has officially suspended its services in the United States after months of deliberations. The social media app used by 170 million Americans was shut down just around the time the official implementation of the federal ban was set to take effect, starting Sunday.
Users attempting to access the application encountered a notification stating: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

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The app’s last hope last rests on President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20 as the app’s shutdown message also mentioned working with him to reverse the decision. The message stated, “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!”
Shortly before the ban was implemented, Trump indicated his inclination to provide TikTok with an additional 90 days for deal negotiations, potentially averting the app’s prohibition in the United States.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump expressed that whilst he had not reached a definitive conclusion, he was contemplating offering TikTok a temporary relief following his assumption of office on Monday.
Additionally, The New York Times reported Shou Zi Chew that the chief executive of TikTok has received an invitation to the presidential inauguration ceremony, where they will be seated in “a position of honor”.
This ban comes as Congress enacted legislation, signed by President Joe Biden last year, requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company to divest its US operations to an approved purchaser within nine months. The legislation bars internet hosting services and mobile app marketplaces from making TikTok available to American users. Nevertheless, the sitting president holds the power to extend the deadline if a sale process is in progress.
TikTok reprotedly received multiple offers to align with US government’s requirements. Perplexity AI, a highly-valued start-up, submitted an eleventh-hour proposal suggesting a merger with TikTok’s US subsidiary, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to AFP. This arrangement could present ByteDance with an alternative that wouldn’t require a complete divestment of the application.
According to US broadcaster CNBC’s initial report, the suggested plan would establish a new joint venture, combining US TikTok’s assets with those of Perplexity AI, a company that has received investment from Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos.
Whilst the proposal did not specify a transaction value, the source indicated it would likely exceed $50 billion.
Additionally, Frank McCourt, who previously owned the Los Angeles Dodgers, has put forward his own bid for TikTok’s US operations, stating he is “ready to work with the company and President Trump to complete a deal.”
Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian investor participating in McCourt’s bid, revealed to Fox News that ByteDance received a $20 billion offer for TikTok’s US operations.



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