TikTok goes offline in the US following ban; app removed from stores

The popular short-video platform, which boasts over 170 million US users, was also removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, The Associated Press reported.

Screenshots shared online revealed a message displayed on the app stating, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now," referencing the law that has led to the ban.

The message also expressed hope, stating, "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office."

Users were given the option to either close the app or visit TikTok's website to download their data—a process the company warned could take several days.

Previously, TikTok had informed users via a message that its services would be "temporarily unavailable" while efforts to restore access in the US continued.

The ban follows a Saturday Supreme Court decision upholding a law citing national security concerns unless TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its US operations.

President-elect Donald Trump stated that he is "most likely" to grant TikTok a 90-day extension to facilitate a sale.

The law, enacted last year under President Joe Biden, required ByteDance to divest from TikTok’s US operations within nine months.

The sitting president retains the authority to extend the deadline if negotiations are underway.