Sending US citizens into uproar, TikTok went into a blackout on Saturday night with users unable to use the platform. Now in a shocking U-turn, it looks as if the app may be making a comeback already
TikTok went into darkness on Saturday night for it’s US devotees. But after a series of turbulent events it already looks like it could make a return.
The Chinese-owned social media app went into a blackout with a bombshell message around 10 p.m. EST on Saturday, a full two hours before the ban was expected to kick in. From emotional goodbyes to people setting fire to government offices, outraged Americans were prepared to fight.
The message to all app users said: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” and users were given two options at the bottom: “Learn more” and “Close app.”
However, with the arrival of Donald Trump back in office, developers say they’ve been working with the President-elect, saying, “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!”
It comes after TikTok was unable to find a buyer before the January 19 deadline, when the US demanded TikTok’s owners, ByteDance, to sell their app to an American company amid claims it poses a threat to national security. But things looked positive when Trump vowed to issue an executive order on the day of his inauguration to give the app’s parent company, ByteDance more time to find a buyer, with the blackout lasting just 12 hours.
The ban sent influencers into a frenzy, with some slamming it as “dystopian”. Many influencers who have managed to create a living from TikTok took to the platform to thank their viewers for the support, as well as sharing where they were going to put there content in the future.
One teen in Wisconsin was so distraught over the ban he admitted to setting fire to a local congressman’s office over it, with a shocking image showing the damage to the scorched building.
The City of Fond du Lac Police Department (FDLPD) said the district office of U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman had been set on fire by a 19-year-old man who later ‘admitted to starting the fire in response to recent talks of a TikTok ban’ and had been charged with arson. Thankfully, police said the building was unoccupied at the time, meaning there were no injuries. Posting on X, Grothman wrote: “Nobody was hurt in the fire and the damage has been contained. Thank you to the FDL firefighters and police officers for your swift response.”
Meanwhile, the Biden administration blasted TikTok’s statement as a ‘stunt’ in a statement on Saturday, as it was Trump who wanted the ban while he was in office in 2021. Indeed, Trump certainly changed his tune when his following on TikTok grew, amassing 14.8 million followers – and he has now hinted that the youth vote helped seal his win over President Biden. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points, Trump said in December. “And there are those that say TikTok had something to do with that.”
Now the company has confirmed it is “in the process” of restoring service to users and some are already reporting that the app is live once again, though it is unclear when it will become available to download in the App Store and on Google Play.
On Sunday afternoon, US TikTokers who logged onto the app were given a greeting that said: “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” But the app is unavailable to redownloaded for those who deleted it.
But a number of well-known creators, such as makeup guru James Charles and Katie Fang, made shocking returns to the app despite the blanket ban and defied the federal law by using a VPN. The loophole meant some creators were able to post updates with hilarious videos telling the world they were still alive but “bored”.
“I feel cut off from the world and my community,” James Charles declared, and added: “Now I’m rooting for Trump? Ew. Make America great again, I guess.” Other influencers, such as Emily Senn, who had 348,000 followers on the platform, cried over losing TikTok as she explained how it helped her get through some tough times in her life. “To the U.S. government, I’m never forgiving you for this,” she said. “And I’m never going to trust you ever again because you, just like that, took away millions of people’s incomes and livelihoods. Who does that?”
Other social media users turned their attention to another app, rivalling TikTok called RedNote. RedNote is an alternative that also hails from China, and it’s said to be a mix of Instagram and TikTok. Known locally as ‘Xiaohongshu’ which translates to “little red book”, it swiftly became the most downloaded free app in the US App Store.
People already using the app have joked about welcoming ‘TikTok refugees’, with some so desperate for their social media fix that they’re starting to learn Chinese to use the app. Social media users have been sharing their thoughts on the new app, with many calling it a ‘clone’ of TikTok. One person penned to X: “All the ‘TikTok refugees’ are going to RedNote, signing terms and conditions in Chinese. Baby, y’all are registering for Squid Games…”
“American Government: ‘We’re banning TikTok cause it’s a Chinese app and you data needs to be protected’. American citizens: ‘Fine, we’re going over to RedNote, a Chinese app based in China’,” another jibed. Meanwhile, others outside of the US are joking about charging Americans so they can still get their doom scrolling in. One person tweeted: “Screen recording my fyp to Americans for $70 per hour,” and another jibed: “Trump TikTok PR stunt is giving when your ex blocks then immediately unblocks you.”
Another app that cashed in on the ban was Instagram, which took full advantage of the ban and launched its video-editing product called Edits. “Today we’re announcing a new app called Edits for those of you who are passionate about making videos on your phone,” Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, said in a video. “There’s a lot going on right now, but no matter what happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators.” Many people speculate that the move will rival TikTok’s features.
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