**TikTok Officially Prohibited in the U.S.: Here’s What Transpired**
It’s now confirmed: **TikTok**, the immensely popular application utilized by **one-third of American adults**, has been prohibited in the United States. If you attempt to access the app, you will likely encounter a pop-up message stating:
*”Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”*
This turn of events was anticipated, following months of legal conflicts and political negotiations. The situation peaked on **Friday, Jan. 17**, when the **U.S. Supreme Court** upheld the prohibition, agreeing with previous court rulings. Earlier this week, TikTok sources told **Reuters** that U.S. users trying to use the app would see a pop-up message directing them to a website containing further details about the ban. True to their word, TikTok has put this plan into action.
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[As TikTok encounters a ban, creators prepare for an uncertain future](https://mashable.com/article/tiktok-ban-update-what-will-happen-influencers-creators)
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This marks not the first occasion TikTok has employed pop-up notifications to respond to the U.S. government’s attempts to prohibit the app due to concerns about its Chinese ownership. Back in **March 2024**, TikTok urged its users to reach out to their representatives to contest the ban.
*”Congress is planning a total ban on TikTok,”* the message stated. *”Speak up now — before your government strips 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression. This will harm millions of businesses, ruin the livelihoods of countless creators nationwide, and deny artists an audience. Let Congress know what TikTok signifies to you and tell them to vote NO.”*
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### SEE ALSO:
[If TikTok is banned in the U.S., this is what it will look like for everyone else](https://mashable.com/article/tiktok-ban-usa-rest-of-world)
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Despite the prohibition, TikTok is not backing down quietly. According to insiders, should the ban be lifted, TikTok could resume service in the U.S. *”in a relatively short time.”* In the meantime, TikTok CEO **Shou Chew** is reportedly working on establishing a rapport with **President-elect Donald Trump**, hoping the incoming administration will overturn the decision.
Interestingly, **President Joe Biden** has opted not to enforce the ban, leaving the issue for Trump to tackle once he assumes office. Shortly after this announcement, **Chew shared a statement video on TikTok**, expressing gratitude to Trump for his willingness to work towards a resolution.
*”We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will collaborate with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok accessible in the United States,”* Chew mentioned in the video.
Trump has also invited Chew to be present at his inauguration on Monday, hinting at a potential shift in TikTok’s prospects. For the time being, however, the app remains unavailable to U.S. users. The pop-up notification that emerged on Saturday evening concluded with this message:
*”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 cooperate with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”*
What transpires next remains to be seen, but TikTok’s destiny in the U.S. now rests with the incoming administration.