TikTok’s shutdown in the U.S. has caused absolute chaos, with some users reportedly calling 911 in panic. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the nationwide ban on the ByteDance-owned platform, iOS and Android users have started receiving notifications confirming the app’s removal.
Other aaplications owned by ByteDance such as Lemon8 and CapCut have also been banned!
While many are voicing their frustration online, some have taken it to a whole new level—by dialing emergency services.
Emergency dispatch centers across the country are now dealing with non-critical calls from distraught users, including teens and children, who are upset over losing access to the app.
One bizarre 911 call from Anoka County, MN, even involved a caller who was described as “incoherent” while professing their love for TikTok.
Imagine being a dispatcher expecting a real emergency and instead hearing someone crying over losing their For You Page.
🚨 JUST IN: 911 calls are being placed around the country by individuals panicking over the TikTok ban
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 19, 2025
I can’t believe I have to say this, BUT DON’T CALL 911 OVER TIKTOK.
Here’s audio of 911 dispatch from Anoka County, MN, requesting a welfare check on a caller, saying he’s… pic.twitter.com/2f21H5HsL5
Officials are now urging the public to stop using emergency hotlines for non-urgent matters, warning that it diverts critical resources away from actual emergencies.
The Bigger Picture: Digital Freedom vs. State Control
Yes, TikTok’s ban is frustrating. For millions, the platform was more than just an app—it was a career, a creative outlet, and a community.
The shutdown also raises bigger concerns about government control, digital freedom, and how much power the state should have over online spaces.
However, calling 911 over an app being banned? That’s not the way to handle it.
If anything, this entire situation only highlights how deeply embedded social media has become in our lives.
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