iWorld
TikTok Bids Farewell to US users amid ban and uncertainty; Trump throws lifeline
MUMBAI: The curtains have fallen on TikTok in the United States as the popular short-form video platform voluntarily shut down its service to users ahead of a sweeping legal ban. Upon attempting to log in, users are greeted with a stark 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 work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
This abrupt shutdown has left 170 million young users in the US in a state of disarray. TikTok has become a vital part of their daily lives, serving as a platform for creativity, self-expression, and social connection. Users have taken to social media to express their frustration and disbelief as they can no longer upload content or build their online presence on the app.
The US government has been vocal about its concerns regarding TikTok’s ties to China, citing national security risks due to the app’s ownership by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Lawmakers have long argued that TikTok must either be operated in the US by an American company or divested from its Chinese stakeholders. Congress set a firm deadline of 19 January, coinciding with the incoming presidency, for TikTok to comply with the law.
Despite TikTok’s efforts, a last-minute legal challenge to overturn the ban was thwarted when the Supreme Court ruled that the law does not infringe on the First Amendment. This left the company with no legal recourse. The Biden administration has deferred enforcement of the law to the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled a willingness to negotiate a solution.
President-elect Donald Trump indicated he might take action to extend the ban’s enforcement deadline. In a recent NBC News interview, he mentioned, “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate. If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.” Under the law, the president can grant a one-time extension of up to 90 days regarding its implementation.
As of now, TikTok users who attempt to access the app will find it absent from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and users can only retrieve their data through a specific process. TikTok’s help section remains operational, but with the app effectively disabled, users are left hanging.
TikTok itself has criticised the Biden administration for its lack of clarity and assurance regarding the continuation of its services. The company remarked, “Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement… TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19.”
As uncertainty looms over TikTok’s future in the U.S., millions are left to wonder if they will ever reconnect with their app, or if this is truly the end of the line. The situation remains fluid, with potential developments hinging on the incoming administration’s actions in the coming days.
President Donald Trump later in the day thew the management of TikTok a lifeline later in the day saying he would be considering issuing an executive order giving TikTok 90 days to find itself an American partner. This came as a relief to its 170 million users in the US.
Said Trump on TruthSocial: “I am asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Momday, as well as other events and conversations.
“I would like the United States to have a 50 per cent stake in the joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up. Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.”
(Updated on 19 January 2025 at 10:30 pm)
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
