By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-19 06:06:27 | Updated at 2025-01-19 09:22:27
3 hours ago
TikTok's app was removed from the Apple, Amazon and Google Play stores on Saturday night just as a federal law that banned the popular social media platform came into effect.
By 10:50pm EST, the app was no longer available to be downloaded with app stores now prohibited from offering the platform under a law that required TikTok´s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or face the ban.
When users opened the TikTok app on Saturday evening, they encountered a pop-up message from the company that prevented them from scrolling on videos.
'A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,' the message said. '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,' the message said, with a hint of optimism. 'Please stay tuned!'
But with just a little bit of technical know-how it is still possible to view TikTok videos.
You can also download the DailyMail.com app here which will continue to showcase the world's most compelling stories no matter the platform.
How can I watch TikTok in the U.S. despite the ban?
The most straightforward workaround to keep access to TikTok would be to use a virtual private network, or VPN (Virtual Private Network), which can conceal the internet protocol, or IP, address of a user and thereby their location.
When users opened the TikTok app on Saturday evening, they encountered a pop-up message from the company that prevented them from scrolling on videos
In tests run by DailyMail.com in the United States, using a VPN proved a successful workaround to bypassing the ban which came into effect late on Saturday night. Users can only access the TikTok website rather than the app
While TikTok users are unable to access either the app or the website if viewing the social media platform from within the United States, using a VPN can help to get around the ban by tricking the device being used that it is in another country.
But it is not 100 percent fool proof as TikTok has other means of knowing where the user is located, such as geolocation data from a phone.
How can I use a VPN to still watch TikTok?
Users wishing to still use TikTok are able to access the website from within the U.S. by using a VPN, although the web version lacks many features of the app.
If users have not logged in using TikTok's website in the past they may be forced to create a new account which would not be as personalized to the preferences on the app.
However, the VPN will allow viewers to watch content by masking the users real location and making it appear as though the internet is being accessed from a different country.
By connecting through a VPN, internet traffic is routed through a server located in the chosen country such as Canada, the UK or Mexico.
This process assigns the device an IP address from that region, effectively bypassing any geo-restrictions imposed by streaming services.
In tests conducted by DailyMail.com TikTok videos could only be viewed on the website - with the app still remaining completely inoperable.
Hours before the ban was set to come into place, app users and visitors to TikTok's website were greeted with a warning
Why was TikTok banned in the U.S.?
The ban stems from a law that prohibits mobile app stores and internet hosting services from distributing TikTok to U.S. users. It took effect on Saturday night with the app going 'dark' just before 11pm EST.
It was thought that current TikTok users would still continue to have access to the app, but such ideas proved unfounded and the app is now essentially unworkable.
Anyone opening the app is now greeted by a pop-up message directing users to a website with information about the ban.
The TikTok ban is set to take effect on Sunday with the app likely going 'dark' from midnight
Will TikTok come back and if so when?
Yes, President-elect Donald Trump stated in an interview with NBC News that he might grant a 60 to 90-day extension to allow TikTok to continue operating beyond Sunday.
This would provide more time for TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to an approved buyer.
The ban's timing has complicated matters, perhaps in TikTok's favor: the outgoing Biden administration reiterated on Saturday that it considers the law's implementation and enforcement to be the responsibility of Trump, who takes office on Monday and has pledged to 'save' the app.
Why is this ban happening?
The U.S. government, under both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration, has expressed concerns about national security. ByteDance's ownership of TikTok and its potential to misuse user data have been the primary reasons behind the push for divestment or a ban.
What is the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations?
Under the law, TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, had nine months to sell the platform's U.S. operation to an approved buyer.
The law allows the sitting president to extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress.
ByteDance previously said it would not sell, but TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration with a prime seating location.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration with a prime seating location
Are there any buyers interested in TikTok?
Several potential buyers have come forward. Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance on Saturday to create a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok U.S. business.
If successful, the new structure would include other investors and allow ByteDance´s existing shareholders to retain their stake in the company.
Perplexity is not asking to purchase the coveted ByteDance algorithm that feeds TikTok users videos based on their interests. It's believed Perplexity are offering north of $50 billion.
Separately, a consortium led by Kevin O'Leary and Frank McCourt offered $20 billion in cash for TikTok.
What about TikTok's algorithm?
Perplexity's proposal does not include acquiring ByteDance's proprietary algorithm, which personalizes video recommendations for users. Instead, they would rebuild a new algorithm for the U.S. platform.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. Pictured, TikTokkers Sarah Baus, left, of Charleston and Tiffany Cianci, who says she is a 'long-form educational content creator'
What has the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the matter?
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. In issuing the decision, justices rejected Trump's request to wait until his administration could pursue a 'political resolution' to the issue.
TikTok, ByteDance and some of the devoted users who rely on the platform argued the statute violated the First Amendment. The Biden administration sought to show ByteDance´s ownership and control of TikTok posed an unacceptable national security threat.
How are TikTok's users and employees reacting?
TikTok users and content creators, who rely on the platform for entertainment and income, have voiced concerns about the potential ban. Meanwhile, TikTok has assured its U.S. employees that their pay, benefits, and employment status remain secure regardless of the app's future.
What is the global context for TikTok?
TikTok has faced scrutiny and legal challenges worldwide. In October, several U.S. states sued TikTok for allegedly harming children's mental health.
Internationally, Venezuela and Albania have penalized or restricted TikTok for various reasons, including failure to moderate harmful content and inciting violence.
What's next for TikTok?
The future of TikTok in the U.S. hinges on whether ByteDance can successfully divest its U.S. operations or negotiate terms with the government.
President-elect Trump has hinted at announcing a decision on a possible extension by Monday.
TikTok has assured its U.S. employees that their pay, benefits, and employment status remain secure regardless of the app's future. Pictured, workers inside the TikTok building in Culver City, California
What alternatives are there to TikTok?
Uncertainty over the app's future had sent users - mostly younger people - scrambling to alternatives including China-based RedNote, a Chinese social media network similar to Instagram. It was the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.
Rivals Meta and Snap have also seen their shares rise this month ahead of the ban, as investors bet on an influx of users and ad dollars. Other US-based rivals Meta-owned Instagram Reels, Google-owned YouTube Shorts and streaming platform Twitch would likely benefit from the ban.
Lemon8 had also been mentioned as a possible substitute. The app is similar to Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok altogether in one suite. The app is described as a 'lifestyle' social app that allows users to share photos and videos of daily routines.
But Lemon8 was also developed by the same Chinese company as TikTok, ByteDance with users on Sunday morning reporting that the app was also no longer functioning.
Other apps owned by ByteDance, including the video editing app Capcut were also offline and unavailable in U.S. app stores.
Marketing firms reliant on TikTok rushed to prepare contingency plans this week in what one executive described as a 'hair on fire' moment after months of conventional wisdom saying that a solution would materialize to keep the app running.
Uncertainty over the app's future had sent users - mostly younger people - scrambling to alternatives including China-based RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese social media network similar to Instagram. It was the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week
TikTok Graveyard, is unique website created by developer Locket Labs and offers users a nostalgic glimpse into their TikTok past
There had been signs TikTok could make a comeback under Trump, who has said he wants to pursue a 'political resolution' of the issue and last month urged the Supreme Court to pause implementation of the ban.
What us the 'TikTok graveyard' trend?
TikTok Graveyard, is a unique website created by developer Locket Labs and offers users a nostalgic glimpse into their TikTok past.
The site allows users to generate a personalized TikTok tombstone and download a copy of their data from the app.
