It occurred — TikTok went down for American customers and is formally banned in america because of a legislation that the federal government handed final yr. Roughly two hours earlier than the Sunday, January 19, 2025, ban was set to take impact, TikTok customers positioned in america observed they may not load buddies’ movies or publish new clips on Saturday, January 18. As Individuals frantically strive to determine easy methods to use the app amid the ban, many additionally wish to know if TikTok is coming again.
Donald Trump indicated that he was inclined to institute a 90-day extension to the ban when he’s sworn in as president once more. Nonetheless, he’s but to verify whether or not or not the extension is particular.
Is TikTok Banned?
Apparently, sure. TikTok is formally banned within the U.S., as American customers observed at round 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2025. When logging into an account, TikTok customers noticed the next discover pop up: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t out there proper now. A legislation banning TikTok has been enacted within the U.S. Sadly, meaning you may’t use TikTok for now. We’re lucky that President Trump has indicated that he’ll work with us on an answer to reinstate TikTok as soon as he takes workplace. Please keep tuned! Within the meantime, you may nonetheless log in to obtain your knowledge.”
Do I Need to Delete My TikTok?
At present, American customers usually are not required to delete their TikTok accounts, and the platform gave everybody the power to obtain and save their posted movies.
Is TikTok Coming Again?
It’s unclear if TikTok might come again for Individuals, however because the platform indicated in its shutdown assertion, an obvious “answer” between them and Trump might happen “as soon as he takes workplace,” which might be on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Learn how to Use TikTok After the Ban
As of now, anybody positioned within the U.S. can entry their very own posts however are unable to load new posts. Customers are additionally complaining that they can’t load saved or reposted movies. At present, Individuals can merely entry their profile pages and up to date posts made by buddies and accounts they observe.
It’s nonetheless unclear how individuals within the U.S. can navigate TikTok except they’ve a digital personal community (VPN). Having a VPN might probably give a smartphone person the power to cover their IP deal with, which discloses an individual’s location. Nonetheless, a VPN most definitely can not repair the TikTok subject eternally.
Why Was TikTok Banned within the U.S.?
TikTok was banned within the U.S. as a result of the federal government raised considerations about its safety. Lawmakers in America are nervous that China’s authorities might entry customers’ knowledge by means of the social media app and use it to unfold misinformation around the globe.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese language firm ByteDance, and Congress gave them an ultimatum: both promote the app to a U.S. government-approved firm or the app could be banned in America. In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed the laws into legislation, and the Supreme Court docket upheld the legalization weeks earlier than the ban occurred in January 2025.