The popular Chinese-owned social media app, TikTok, went dark in the United States shortly before a federal law barring its hosting or distribution took effect on Sunday. The law prohibits U.S. companies from supporting or maintaining the app.
TikTok’s “For You” page filled with montages of users’ favorite trends and songs, many dating back to the early days of the pandemic, when the app soared in popularity. Users spent their final moments recreating viral dances on the app. A pop-up message appeared at 9 p.m. Eastern Saturday stating that the law would “force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.” Shortly thereafter, TikTok went dark.
Content creators expressed shock and sadness on social media platforms such as Instagram, where Alix Earle livestreamed her thoughts after the app’s sudden shutdown. The mood on TikTok was somber, with users mourning the loss of a platform that had become an integral part of their lives.
The law’s impact is expected to be felt across various sectors of society, including the tech industry and social media platforms. It remains unclear how long the ban will last and whether it can be lifted through executive orders or litigation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/technology/tiktok-ban.html