Nvidia Appoints Former Google Executive Alison Wagonfeld as First Chief Marketing Officer 
Democratic States Sue Trump Administration Over $10B Federal Childcare Funding Freeze 
Trump Pushes Tech Giants to Absorb AI Data Center Power Costs, Citing Microsoft Changes 
China’s AI Sector Pushes to Close U.S. Tech Gap Amid Chipmaking Challenges 
AFT Leaves X Over AI-Generated Images of Minors 
Samsung Forecasts Strong Q4 Profit on AI-Driven Memory Chip Boom 
South Korea Prosecutor Alleges Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Abused Power for Bribes 
Zhipu AI Launches GLM-Image Model Trained on Huawei Chips, Boosting China’s AI Self-Reliance Drive 
Tesla, EEOC Move Toward Mediation in Racial Harassment Lawsuit 
BlueScope Steel Announces A$1 Special Dividend After Asset Sales 
EU Orders Elon Musk’s X to Preserve Grok AI Data Amid Probe Into Illegal Content 
Microsoft Strikes Landmark Soil Carbon Credit Deal With Indigo Carbon to Boost Carbon-Negative Goal 
Taiwan Issues Arrest Warrant for OnePlus CEO Over Alleged Illegal Recruitment Activities 
Merck Raises Growth Outlook, Targets $70 Billion Revenue From New Drugs by Mid-2030s 
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Cutting $80 Million in Minnesota SNAP Funding 
Coca-Cola Shelves Costa Coffee Sale After Low Private Equity Offers 
TikTok went offline in the U.S. late Saturday, disappearing from Apple and Google app stores as a law banning the platform takes effect Sunday. Used by 170 million Americans, TikTok cited potential reprieve from President-elect Donald Trump, who may grant a 90-day extension after taking office Monday.
In a message to users, TikTok expressed hope for a resolution under Trump’s administration, while the unprecedented shutdown raises questions about U.S.-China relations, the social media landscape, and economic impact. Other ByteDance apps like CapCut and Lemon8 were also removed from app stores.
The ban, enacted over national security concerns, mandates TikTok to sever ties with its China-based parent or cease U.S. operations. The Biden administration deferred action to the incoming administration, reiterating the need for compliance with the law.
Amid the uncertainty, users are migrating to alternative platforms like RedNote, and competitors like Meta and Snap are experiencing increased investor confidence. Web searches for VPNs surged as users sought ways to access TikTok, while concerns grew over pending orders on TikTok Shop.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to meet Trump at the inauguration, signaling potential negotiations. Meanwhile, suitors like Frank McCourt and reports of talks with Elon Musk have stirred speculation about TikTok’s future. ByteDance, with over 7,000 U.S. employees, could explore options including selling its U.S. operations.
The shutdown has caused ripple effects across social media, marketing, and e-commerce industries, with experts predicting significant economic and cultural impacts.
