TikTok Goes Dark In US Ahead Of Trump Inauguration

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – TikTok went dark in the United States on Sunday as the company’s application, or app, was removed from prominent app stores, including those operated by tech giants Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available.

The blackout began just hours before a law took effect following concerns that China may collect sensitive data from millions of Americans.

Yet the ban impacts millions of customers in the world’s leading economy. Users opening the TikTok app on Saturday already encountered a pop-up message preventing them from scrolling videos that read, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”

The app’s disappearance has been five years in the making. Donald J. Trump first proposed a ban on TikTok during his first term as U.S. president in mid-2020 via executive order, which did not succeed.

Various members of the U.S. Congress proposed measures that would do the same, but only one passed.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act became law, mandating TikTok be sold or be banned.

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. 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,” a message to users attempting to use the app said.

TIKTOK DISAPPEARS

After TikTok disappears from app stores, preventing new downloads and updates, it will gradually obsolesce while the ban remains in place, experts say. Experts warn that without regular maintenance, the app’s smooth functionality will suffer glitches and may become vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Analysts have suggested it is “just matter of time” until the U.S. ban on TikTok spreads to allied countries and beyond – if the Trump administration decides to keep it offline.

The app has been switched off in America as U.S. legislators ruled it was a national security risk because of owner ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government – ties it denies.

Incoming President Trump has indicated though that he is opposed to the ban and will find a way to reverse it, despite his earlier objections, citing its popularity among the youth and its positive impact on his presidential campaign.

The chief executive of TikTok even plans to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, say sources familiar with the plans. Shou Zi Chew has reportedly been invited to sit in a position of honor on the dais, which is typical of other important guests.

Yet with the U.S. ban now on place, experts point to the previous ousting of Chinese and Russian tech companies on national security grounds as a potential blueprint for how the TikTok ban might spread around the world.

Critics view it as a limitation on freedom of expression.

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