TikTok disappeared from app stores nationwide Saturday after a federal ban targeting its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, took effect. The law required ByteDance to sell the app’s U.S. operations or face shutdown. Attempts to use TikTok resulted in a message stating the app is now inaccessible.
ByteDance’s challenge to the ban failed in the Supreme Court on Friday, leaving the platform dark. The Biden administration deferred enforcement to President-elect Trump, who is considering a 90-day extension if a sale is underway.
Potential buyers, including investors and firms like Perplexity AI, are exploring options, though no deal has emerged.
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