
TikTok, CapCut Go Down (But Are They Out)?
As of Saturday night, TikTok and its related apps are all down. Some thought this wouldn’t actually happen, while others have been extremely watchful of the situation.
We’re writing this at 10:43 PM and the posts shared by Complex of screenshots called “Time of Death” on TikTok at about an hour ago, and CapCut at about a half hour ago. Some say they’re still seeing functionality for CapCut, while we experienced some videos on the Desktop platform of TikTok not loading as if somehow they were already on their way out the door.
Is TikTok permanently banned? According to Complex:
President-elect Donald Trump says that he will “most likely” give TikTok an extension of 90 days to avoid it being banned in the United States.
Trump spoke to NBC News about his potential solution for the ban that’s set to happen on Sunday since the China-based social media app couldn’t find a non-Chinese buyer.
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at,” said Trump. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation.”
Trump then made it clear that he hasn’t fully committed to giving the extension. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” he added.
CBS News shares why the U.S. wanted to ban the app (in case you’re living under a rock and haven’t heard):
U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that TikTok threatens national security because the Chinese government could use it as a vehicle to spy on Americans or covertly influence the U.S. public by amplifying or suppressing certain content.
The concern is warranted, they said, because Chinese national security laws require organizations to cooperate with intelligence gathering. FBI Director Christopher Wray told House Intelligence Committee members last year that the Chinese government could compromise Americans’ devices through the software.
If it comes back for 90 days, more than likely, someone will try and buy it, but at that point — it all depends on whose hands it lands in. If either Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg reach for it, it frankly should stay dead.