Marvel Snap now banned in US following TikTok shutdown

While much of the discussion around the potential ban of TikTok, one of America's most popular social media platforms, has centered on its impact, an overlooked detail is that the ban extends to all apps owned by its parent company, ByteDance. This includes apps like the video editing tool CapCut, and unexpectedly, the digital card game Marvel Snap.  

Marvel Snap, developed by Second Dinner, has found itself unexpectedly affected by the ByteDance-related ban. This connection exists because ByteDance was previously the publisher of Marvel Snap. In 2023, ByteDance exited the gaming industry, selling its Nuverse gaming subsidiary as part of a business restructuring.

Despite this divestment, Marvel Snap continued to operate, but ByteDance’s lingering involvement as the publisher appears to have resulted in the game's inclusion in the ban.  

In a surprising move, Marvel Snap was taken offline ahead of the broader app ban. Players attempting to access the game are met with a message nearly identical to the one seen by TikTok users:  

“Sorry MARVEL SNAP isn’t available right now.  

A law banning MARVEL SNAP has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use MARVEL SNAP for now. Rest assured, we’re working to restore our service in the US.”  

Unlike TikTok’s notification, the Marvel Snap message makes no mention of incoming President Donald Trump, whom ByteDance hopes will help broker a deal to restore TikTok’s availability in the US. If such a deal is reached, it is likely that other affected apps, including Marvel Snap, will also return.