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PeopleTikTok Has Shut Down in the U.S. — and Users Have Thoughts: Here are Some of the Best Reactions
After a federal ban took effect preventing Americans from using TikTok, thousands posted on X and other platforms to share their (often hilarious) reactions
- BBC
TikTok stops working as US ban comes into force
A message appearing for US users says they "can't use TikTok for now".
- The Independent
TikTok ban latest: Chinese app back after Trump promises to restore it but US redownloads not available
During his first administration, Trump pushed for a TikTok ban over national security concerns with China in 2020
- The Guardian
Chinese rival app Xiaohongshu is overwhelmed by ‘TikTok refugees’ in US
Social media accounts blocked for breaking Beijing rules as millions of users join up before ban takes effect
- Yahoo News UK
How could a US TikTok ban affect UK users?
TikTok, one of the world's biggest video apps, has gone offline in the US - but could the platform be banned in the UK?
- The Independent
Apple Watch: 10 years on, Apple’s head of fitness reveals how the smartwatch has changed
The Watch has dramatically improved, with new features and increased performance. But over its first decade Apple has also changed how it thinks about fitness, it says
- Reuters
Perplexity AI bids to merge with TikTok US, source says
TikTok faces a U.S. ban starting on Sunday if it does not cut ties with ByteDance, although President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he would likely give the short-video social-media platform a 90-day reprieve on Monday. Perplexity would merge with TikTok U.S. and create a new entity by combining the merged company with New Capital Partners, the person said.
- The Independent
How TikTok became the world’s most controversial app
IN NUMBERS: More than 3 billion people are already blocked from using the app, writes Anthony Cuthbertson
- BBC
Could TikTok ever be banned in the UK too?
Analysts have suggested it is "just matter of time" until the US ban on TikTok spreads.
- South China Morning Post
Baicells, a Chinese firm founded by Huawei alumni, requires scrutiny: US lawmakers
WASHINGTON - Baicells, a Chinese maker of telecommunication hardware founded by veterans of sanctioned Huawei Technologies that has equipment operating in every American state, needs rigorous scrutiny by the US government, the top Republican on the House Select Committee on China said. "The presence of this company - or any company with known cyber vulnerabilities in their products - anywhere in the US should raise significant national security alarms," John Moolenaar said in a statement. "The C
- Reuters
Relieved US TikTok enthusiasts hope 'magic' returns as app is restored
On Saturday night, for the first time in five years, millions of American TikTok users who logged on for a late-night scroll were met with an unwelcome notice that their beloved app had been banned and shut down. Their exile lasted less than 24 hours, ending when the Chinese-owned company restored service on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to power on Monday, said he would revive U.S. access. As users returned, some cringed at sappy goodbyes posted before the shutdown or thanked Trump on social media site X, while others wondered whether the TikTok world would ever be the same again.
- TechCrunch
Bluesky launches a custom feed for vertical videos
With TikTok's future in the U.S. uncertain, it feels like major social media platforms are working overtime to ship features to attract the millions of people who may want to switch: Bluesky said on Sunday that it is launching a custom feed for vertical videos in its app. Bluesky's mobile app now has a trending videos section in the Explore tab, and like with any other short video app, you can swipe up to see more videos. Bluesky also acknowledged developers building TikTok alternatives on AT Protocol — the decentralized protocol behind Bluesky — such as Tik.Blue, Skylight.Social, and Bluescreen.Blue.
- The Telegraph
Met unleashes new flying squad on e-motorbikes to tackle two-wheeled phone snatchers
An elite unit of specially trained police riding high speed e-motorbikes has been deployed in London to target criminal cyclist gangs who snatch mobile phones, The Telegraph can reveal.
- The Telegraph
TikTok goes dark in US after ban
TikTok stopped working in the United States late on Saturday and disappeared from Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday requiring the shutdown of the app used by 170 million Americans.
- The Guardian
TikTok goes dark in the US ahead of ban
App no longer available on US Apple and Google stores after supreme court upholds lawmakers’ ban
- Variety
‘Marvel Snap’ Game Also Goes Dark and Is Pulled From App Stores Because of TikTok Ban
Don’t blame Thanos: “Marvel Snap” is a casualty of the U.S. government’s move to ban TikTok over fears about its parent company’s Chinese ties. It’s not just TikTok that winked offline for U.S. users Saturday, just hours before the Jan. 19 deadline specified by the U.S. divest-or-ban law targeting TikTok. At least 10 other ByteDance-owned …
- The Independent
What is Rednote? Previously unknown Chinese app gains popularity after TikTok ban
TikTok stopped working in the United States on 18 January and disappeared from app stores ahead of law requiring shutdown of the platform
- The Telegraph
Italy’s playboy prince says he hired a prostitute to show him how to have sex
Prince Emanuele Filiberto, the grandson of Italy’s last king, has revealed how he hired a prostitute to teach him how to have sex with his first girlfriend.
- Evening Standard
Briton, 19, mobbed in 30-man sex assault and threatened with rape during Italian trip
The student is in the process of filing a legal complaint in London, according to reports
- Cinema Online
You're a millionaire: Netizens slam Edison Chen's plea for school reconstruction donations
The actor faces backlash for seeking public donations for daughter's school in affluent LA area