TikTok is shutting down in the US

TikTok just finished tiktoks as the countdown is over for the US app time. In the early hours of January 19, the wildly popular short-form video app went dark.

The shutdown left me (and millions of other users) in shock as they were greeted with a message that read, “Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable” or an image I couldn’t tick off. I don’t know what my 418 followers will do now. Seriously, the service is the drama of the moment, as the shutdown came after the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and upheld a law passed by Congress last year that required ByteDance to face or quit TikTok , or face a ban.

The law was prompted by national security concerns, with fears that the Chinese government could use TikTok to collect sensitive information about American users. Various politicians who were privy to the intelligence reports said it was credible that the Chinese government was using TikTok to spy on us.

But Donald Trump has signaled that he may not impose the ban and will likely let it live for another 90 days. Meanwhile, various parties gather to bid to buy the service.

TikTok has announced that it will voluntarily shut down its services rather than risk being forcibly removed from app stores and hosting services. The company’s CEO, Shou Chewposted a video thanking users and promising to work to restore TikTok. Sorry, the video is not available at the moment. “This is not the end, but a new beginning,” he said with determination.

The shutdown sparked a scramble among TikTok users to move to other social media platforms, where they mourn the loss of their beloved app. Many expressed their disappointment and frustration, while others shared memories of their favorite moments on TikTok, and some even started online petitions to bring the app back. I posted my last CES 2025 videos there.

Among the prominent candidates is Oracle, a Silicon Valley giant known for its cloud services. Oracle saw the acquisition as a strategic move to expand its influence in the consumer market and gain access to TikTok’s cutting-edge technology. Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, personally participated in the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of data security and transparency.

Microsoft, another major contender, had a different vision for TikTok. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes that integrating TikTok with Microsoft’s existing suite of products can create a powerful ecosystem. He envisioned TikTok as a platform for educational content, virtual events and more, appealing to a wider audience beyond entertainment.

Private equity firms have also entered the fray, looking at turning TikTok into an independent entity. Blackstone Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, has proposed a deal to buy ByteDance and keep TikTok running with significant investments in data privacy and security measures. Their plan included appointing an independent board to oversee operations and ensure compliance with US law.

Venture capitalists also saw TikTok as a gold mine. Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz were among the firms interested in backing a consortium to acquire ByteDance. They believed that with the right management and investment, TikTok could continue its rapid growth and dominate social media.

President-elect Trump’s move to let the service run for another 90 days is seen as a lifeline for TikTok.

“We are committed to protecting American interests while promoting innovation and growth,” Trump said at a news conference.

Other investors bidding for TikTok include Frank McCourt and his Internet Advocacy Group. The billionaire and his internet advocacy group have made an offer to buy ByteDance. McCourt, known for his ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers, plans to restructure TikTok and give users more control over their digital identities and data.

Celebrity Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary also joined forces with other investors to form a group that has secured commitments totaling more than $20 billion in capital. Their proposal focuses on data transparency and privacy.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also made moves to buy TikTok. Shortly after Congress passed the ban, Mnuchin announced the formation of an investor group to buy the social media company. And even Mr. Beast claims to have spoken to some billionaires to pull together a bid.