The popular social media platform TikTok has officially been banned in the United States, leaving millions of users unable to access the app within the country's borders. When attempting to use TikTok, users are now met with a message stating, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now." The message elaborates, "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. 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. Please stay tuned! In the meantime, you can still download your data."

In a last-ditch effort, TikTok appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the appeal was unanimously rejected last week. The Court acknowledged the platform's significant role for over 170 million Americans as a unique platform for expression, engagement, and community building. However, it upheld the ban, citing Congress's determination that divestiture was necessary due to national security concerns related to TikTok's data collection and its ties to a foreign adversary. The Court concluded that the ban does not violate the First Amendment rights of the petitioners.

TikTok remains hopeful that incoming President Donald Trump will reverse the ban upon taking office on January 20. In an interview with NBC News on January 18, Trump hinted at a potential delay of the ban for 90 days, stating he would "most likely" take this action. Such a delay could provide an opportunity for a U.S. or allied buyer to purchase the app, a step that has not yet occurred and precipitated the current ban. As a result of the ban, other apps associated with TikTok's parent company ByteDance, such as CapCut, Lemon8, and Marvel Snap, have also ceased operations.