Social media app TikTok has been shut down in the US. When American users opened TikTok on Sunday, they saw a message that said “You cannot use TikTok right now.”
The app has cited the US law that bans TikTok as the reason for this.
Many users said that TikTok has been removed from the App Store as well and videos are not visible on TikTok.com either.
TikTok said, “Fortunately, Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restart TikTok after taking office.”
America’s newly elected President Donald Trump has said that he can give TikTok a 90-day exemption from the ban.
The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the law banning TikTok on Friday. TikTok could escape this ban only if its parent company ByteDance sells it.
TikTok then issued a statement saying that Joe Biden, the White House, and the Justice Department have failed to give us clarity and assurance.
The ban on TikTok, which has 17 crore American users, is rooted in national security concerns raised by US officials regarding the Chinese government’s influence over the company. Besides, other apps owned by ByteDance, such as the video editing app Capcut and the lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also removed and unavailable in U.S. app stores as of late Saturday.
America’s ban on TikTok comes over 4 years after India enforced a similar ban. On June 29, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese-owned apps over data security issues.
The Indian government accused TikTok — owned by the Chinese tech giant ByteDance — of misusing data and acting as a tool for espionage. The decision came just two weeks after a deadly clash between Chinese and Indian troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Galwan valley.
It was a big setback for TikTok as India was it’s largest market at that time with over 20 crore active users.
The Ministry of Information Technology issued a statement saying it has decided to block 59 apps since they are engaged in activities which are detimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
TikTok and other banned apps were subsequently removed from app stores like Google Play. Telecom providers too blocked access to the app.
The ban on TikTok was part of a broader strategy by the Indian government to enhance digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign technology, particularly from China.
At the same time, PM Modi’s administration was pursuing a self-reliant “Atmanirbhar Bharat” campaign and TikTok’s ban, alongside other Chinese apps like WeChat and UC Browser, was viewed as part of a strategic effort to protect India’s digital sovereignty and minimise reliance on foreign tech firms, particularly those from China.
TikTok was also accused of spreading harmful content, including disinformation, cyberbullying, and inappropriate videos. There were reports of viral challenges leading to injuries and deaths. Many parents and educators in India expressed concern over the negative influence the app could have on children and teenagers, who made up a significant portion of TikTok’s user base.
In response, TikTok India’s head Nikhil Gandhi at the time said in a statement that the app “continues to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and has not shared any information of our users in India with any foreign government, including the Chinese Government.”
For Indian influencers, it was perhaps the massive shock \as they had been riding high on the stardom and fame they had found on the app. The rise of TikTok in India also saw the rise of content creators. They used the app to create content on diverse topics, ranging from entertainment, health, lifestyle, among others. For many, TikTok was more than just an app; it was a livelihood. Indian influencers, with millions of followers and ad sponsors, were staring in the dark, wondering what their next move could be.
The Indian influencers slowy moved to YouTube shorts, Instagram Reels and other short-video platforms. Several Indian tech companies also triedto fill in the gap. Apps like Moj, Josh, and Roposo emerged as alternatives, and while they gained some traction, they never quite reached the same level of popularity as TikTok.
For those employed with these now-banned Chinese apps, the situation was even grimmer.
India’s ban of TikTok set a precedent. The Chinese app faced increased scrutiny in other countries, particularly in the Western world. In 2020, Donald Trump had cited India’s example to advocate TikTok ban.
It still took America five years to finally do away with the Chinese app. On Jan 19, 2025 TikTok was no longer working for its American users
