The unthinkable has happened: TikTok is now officially banned for all users located in the United States. Every time an American user tries to open the app, it gives an error explaining the ban and gives you a button to close the app. TikTok has also been delisted from app stores in the U.S.

Why Was TikTok Banned?

TikTok was banned today because in April 2024 the United States government passed a law stating that TikTok would be banned in the U.S. if the company didn't sell to an American business or individual by January 19^th, 2025. Well, that date has now passed, and TikTok was not sold, so it is now banned. U.S. Congress feared that TikTok was being used to spy on Americans, given that its parent company, ByteDance, is headquartered in China.

TikTok tried stopping the ban and argued that it violated the First Amendment rights of the American people. They took the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which on January 10^th ruled that the ban was constitutional and will stay.

Could TikTok Return in the U.S.?

There is a chance TikTok could return to normal service in the United States. President-Elect Donald Trump, who assumes the U.S. presidency on Monday, has promised to work to unban it. He could sign an executive order that would extend TikTok's ban date by 90 days unless it is sold, which would allow it to be unbanned for that timeframe at least.