TikTok goes offline in US hours before ban due to come in | BBC News

Summary

TikTok has been banned in the United States due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership. As of now, the app is unavailable in Apple and Google stores, and U.S. users are unable to access it. Despite this, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a potential 90-day reprieve. However, the law is in effect, with companies like Apple, Google, and Oracle facing legal consequences for non-compliance. Several potential buyers have emerged, including Elon Musk, Frank McCourt, and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, sparking discussions about the future of TikTok in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 TikTok has been removed from Apple and Google App Stores in the United States as part of a law implementing its shutdown due to national security concerns.
• 😀 President-elect Donald Trump has expressed plans to give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after taking office.
• 😀 Americans who try to access TikTok are seeing a message saying that the app is unavailable, due to a law passed by Congress last year.
• 😀 The law banning TikTok was enacted due to concerns over the Chinese ownership of the app, but TikTok has not sold its operations to a U.S. buyer despite having 9 months to do so.
• 😀 TikTok has exhausted all legal options, including appeals to U.S. courts and the Supreme Court, which upheld the ban.
• 😀 Although President Trump is expected to advocate for a delay, it is unclear if he can legally intervene in the ban.
• 😀 As of now, the law is in force, and companies like Oracle, Apple, and Google are at risk of legal action and steep fines if they continue to provide access to TikTok.
• 😀 Major tech companies involved in hosting or distributing TikTok, such as Oracle, Apple, and Google, are legally obligated to comply with the ban to avoid penalties.
• 😀 Potential buyers for TikTok's U.S. operations include AI startup Perplexity AI, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, billionaire Frank McCourt, and Elon Musk.
• 😀 Elon Musk, a close ally of Donald Trump and owner of X (formerly Twitter), is seen as one of the most notable potential suitors for TikTok in the U.S., with talks about merging it with X.

Q & A

Why has TikTok been removed from the Apple and Google App Stores in the United States?

TikTok has been removed as part of a legal blackout ahead of a law that mandates its shutdown in the U.S. due to National Security concerns related to the app's Chinese ownership.

What was the law that led to TikTok’s ban in the U.S.?

The law banning TikTok was passed by Congress on National Security grounds, citing concerns over Chinese ownership and the data privacy risks associated with it.

What was TikTok's response to the U.S. government's order to shut down?

TikTok attempted to sell the app to a U.S. buyer over the past nine months, but no deal was made, which ultimately led to the enforcement of the ban.

Has TikTok tried to challenge the law banning its operations in the U.S.?

Yes, TikTok took the matter to a U.S. appeals court and even the Supreme Court, but both upheld the law, leaving the company with limited legal options.

What is the role of President-elect Donald Trump in the TikTok ban situation?

President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for granting TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban, but it remains uncertain if he can legally enact this delay.

Why has TikTok's Chinese ownership been a major issue in the U.S.?

The Chinese ownership of TikTok has raised National Security concerns over the potential access to personal data of American users by the Chinese government.

Why did the app stores (Apple and Google) remove TikTok from their platforms?

Apple and Google, as major companies hosting TikTok on their app stores, faced legal pressure to comply with the ban. Continuing to offer TikTok could expose them to legal action and heavy fines.

What could be the consequences for companies that did not comply with the TikTok ban?

Companies like Oracle, Apple, and Google could face legal actions and steep fines if they continued to host or provide access to TikTok after the law was enacted.

Who are some potential buyers for TikTok's U.S. operations?

Potential buyers include AI startup Perplexity AI, former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, billionaire investor Frank McCourt, and Elon Musk, who has suggested merging TikTok with X (formerly Twitter).

What connection does Elon Musk have to the situation regarding TikTok's U.S. operations?

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), is a close ally of Donald Trump and has shown interest in purchasing TikTok’s U.S. operations, possibly merging it with X to create a new platform.