TikTok stops working as US ban comes into force

A new US law banning TikTok has come into effect, hours after the popular app stopped working across the country.

Late on Saturday a message appearing on the TikTok for US users said a law banning TikTok had been enacted, meaning “you can’t use TikTok for now”.

The video-sharing app was banned over concerns about its links to the Chinese government. It was given until 19 January to be sold to an approved US buyer to avert the ban.

President Joe Biden had said he would leave the issue to his successor, Donald Trump. The president-elect has said he will “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a ban once he takes office on Monday.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC News on Saturday.

“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

Users reported the app had also been removed from both Apple and Google’s US app stores and TikTok.com was not showing videos, in line with the terms of the ban.

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” a message displayed by the app read.