Elon Musk says he is not interested in buying TikTok
Billionaire Elon Musk has stated that he is not interested in purchasing TikTok, despite speculation following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting he could buy the app.
TikTok shuts down in the U.S. ahead of ban; Trump hints at 90-day reprieve after taking office Monday.
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 Sunday requiring the shutdown of the app used by 170 million Americans.
President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day he would "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office on Monday, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users on the app.
TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, told users attempting to use the app around 10:45 p.m. ET (0345 GMT): "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 work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned."
Other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app Capcut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in U.S. app stores as of late Saturday.
"The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate," Trump told NBC. "If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday."
It was not clear if any U.S. users could still access the app, but it was no longer working for many users and people seeking to access it through a web application were met with the same message that TikTok was no longer working.
TikTok, which has captivated nearly half of all Americans, powered small businesses and shaped online culture, warned on Friday it would go dark in the U.S. on Sunday unless President Joe Biden's administration provides assurances to companies such as Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions when a ban takes effect.
Under a law passed last year and upheld on Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday to cut ties with its China-based parent or shut down its U.S. operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security.
The White House reiterated on Saturday that it was up to the incoming administration to take action.
"We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
TikTok did not respond to a request for comment on the new White House statement.
The Chinese embassy in Washington on Friday accused the U.S. of using unfair state power to suppress TikTok. "China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," a spokesperson said.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Apple is reportedly working on a version of AirPods Pro with integrated cameras, set to launch as early as 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While the cameras won’t be featured in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, the new tech aims to enhance AI-driven features and spatial audio integration.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
Beijing, Feb 17 (Reuters) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with some of the country’s most prominent technology leaders on Monday, urging them to embrace innovation and reaffirming Beijing’s support for private enterprise.
Apple's Vision Pro headset is expected to receive a major update incorporating Apple Intelligence as soon as April, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
Walmart’s upcoming quarterly report will provide key insights into how inflation and potential tariffs are affecting U.S. consumer spending, especially as prices for essentials rise.
Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos, is laying off 10 percent of its workforce - approximately 1,400 employees - in an effort to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy, CEO Dave Limp announced in an internal email.
It seems Apple is ready to show off something new. In a tweet on Thursday, CEO Tim Cook told Apple aficionados to "get ready to meet the newest member of the family."
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