Apple and Google removed TikTok from their app stores on Saturday night, in compliance with a law that required China’s ByteDance to divest the social app or face an effective ban in the U.S.
The removal of TikTok from the Apple App Store and Google Play store means that people in the U.S. can no longer download the popular short-form video app on their devices. This action followed the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on Friday to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed by President Joe Biden in April. TikTok had announced that its service would cease to operate for Americans unless the Biden administration intervened.
On the Apple App Store, a message stating “App Not Available” now appears on TikTok’s former app-install page, while on the Google Play store, a message reads, “We’re sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server.”
Users attempting to access TikTok’s app and website on Saturday were met with a message indicating that TikTok was not available at that time due to a law banning its use in the U.S. The notice mentioned that efforts were being made to reinstate TikTok once a solution was reached.
Another service owned by ByteDance, Lemon8, also displayed a notice informing users that it was not available in the U.S. The law mandated that service providers cease supporting TikTok within the U.S. if ByteDance did not divest the app by Sunday, potentially leading to penalties for Apple, Google, and Oracle for non-compliance.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew emphasized the platform’s importance as a space for creativity and inspiration, with over 7 million American businesses using it to generate income and connect with customers. Chew expressed determination to ensure TikTok’s continued success and thanked President-elect Donald Trump for his support.
Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to the TikTok shutdown, with Trump indicating that a decision regarding TikTok would be made in the near future. Trump’s incoming National Security Adviser suggested that Chinese ownership of TikTok could be allowed with appropriate data protection measures.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged TikTok’s statement about going dark as a “stunt” and stated that the implementation of the law would be the responsibility of the next administration. Trump hinted at a possible 90-day extension for TikTok and mentioned that a decision would likely be announced on Monday.
An artificial intelligence startup, Perplexity AI, submitted a bid for TikTok that involved combining with TikTok’s U.S. operations and new capital partners. Businessman Frank McCourt’s internet advocacy group, Project Liberty, also proposed to buy TikTok from ByteDance, meeting the criteria of separating the technology from the Chinese algorithm.
