Image credit: Grok/X

TikTok ceased operations in the United States late Saturday night, vanishing from both Apple and Google app stores in anticipation of a new law set to take effect on Sunday, which mandates the closure of the app used by 170 million Americans.

In response, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at providing TikTok with a 90-day grace period post his inauguration on Monday, a commitment highlighted in a notice to users attempting to access the app.

The message read, "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."

This temporary cessation of TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, could significantly influence U.S.-China relations, American domestic politics, the social media industry, and the lives of millions who rely on the platform for both economic and cultural engagement.

This marks the first time the U.S. has banned a major social media application, with Congress granting broad powers to the incoming Trump administration to potentially ban or force the sale of other apps owned by Chinese entities.

Alongside TikTok, ByteDance's other apps like CapCut and Lemon8 have also gone offline in U.S. app stores. Trump, speaking to NBC, suggested, "The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate," with a possible announcement on Monday.

The functionality of the app for current U.S. users remains uncertain, with many unable to access it, and web access also blocked with similar messages. TikTok had previously warned of this blackout unless there was a last-minute intervention by the Biden administration to reassure companies like Apple and Google against enforcement actions.

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the law on Friday, setting a deadline for TikTok to either sever ties with ByteDance or cease operations in the U.S. The Biden administration has indicated that any action would now fall to Trump's incoming administration.

The Chinese embassy has criticized the U.S., accusing it of using state power to unfairly target TikTok, while young users have migrated to alternatives like RedNote, prompting an uptick in stock values for competitors like Meta and Snap.

The closure has led to a surge in VPN searches as users look for ways to bypass the restrictions, with NordVPN reporting technical issues amidst this demand. On platforms like Instagram, concerns about ongoing transactions with TikTok Shop have surfaced.

Marketing firms, heavily dependent on TikTok, are scrambling for alternatives, caught off-guard despite earlier hopes for a resolution.

There's speculation about TikTok's potential return under Trump's administration, with interest from investors like Frank McCourt and talks of selling to Elon Musk, although ByteDance has dismissed such rumors. Additionally, U.S. startup Perplexity AI has proposed a merger with TikTok U.S., aiming to create a new entity with other partners.

This situation underscores the complex interplay of technology, politics, and international relations, with significant implications for digital commerce and content creation in the U.S.