A recent U.S. law aimed at ByteDance has led to the sudden removal of several apps, including the popular Marvel Snap game. The law, which targets apps linked to foreign adversaries like ByteDance, has caught many users by surprise, as the game was pulled from app stores without warning late on January 18, 2025.
Marvel Snap’s Sudden Removal
Marvel Snap, the fast-paced card battler based on Marvel’s vast universe, was developed by Second Dinner, a California studio. Despite being made in the U.S., the game is published by Nuverse, a subsidiary of ByteDance. As a result, the app has fallen under the restrictions of the newly enacted law.
Gamers trying to access Marvel Snap after January 18 were stunned to find it missing from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. While PC players still had access via Steam initially, many reported being unable to log back into the game.
Second Dinner, the game’s developer, expressed their shock and frustration in a statement shared on social media, assuring players, “Marvel Snap isn’t going anywhere. We’re working to get the game up as soon as possible and will update you when we have more information.”
In-Game Notifications
Players who attempted to log into the game were met with a message stating:
“Sorry, Marvel Snap isn’t available right now. A law banning Marvel Snap has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use Marvel Snap for now. Rest assured, we’re working to restore our service in the U.S. Please stay tuned!”
This surprise shutdown has left many players upset, particularly those unaware of the connection between Marvel Snap and ByteDance. Some even continued to make in-game purchases, only to find that they could no longer access the game.
Other ByteDance Apps Impacted
Along with Marvel Snap, several other ByteDance apps have been removed from U.S. app stores, including TikTok, CapCut, and Lemon8. While some ByteDance apps, such as collaboration tool Lark, were briefly available, they too were eventually taken down.
Apple confirmed the removal of ByteDance apps in a statement, explaining that they could no longer be downloaded or updated under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which took effect on January 19, 2025. The law bans U.S. access to apps developed by foreign adversaries like ByteDance.
Effects on Existing Users
Although existing users will still have access to the apps they’ve already downloaded, they will no longer be able to receive updates, re-download apps, or make in-app purchases. Apple clarified that U.S. users would face potential performance and security issues due to the lack of updates, which could also affect compatibility with future iOS versions.
The Divest-or-Ban Law and Enforcement
The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the divest-or-ban law, which mandates that companies hosting ByteDance-controlled apps face heavy fines—up to $5,000 per user, per app. While the Biden administration had stated it would not enforce the law, enforcement responsibility has shifted to President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20, 2025.
TikTok has made it clear that it was forced to shut down in the U.S. due to the law, citing uncertainty over whether major platform distributors like Apple and Google would be exempt from hefty fines.
Impact on Gamers and ByteDance’s Response
The removal of Marvel Snap is a blow to U.S. gamers, many of whom were invested in the game since its October 2022 release. Described as “the fastest card battler in the Multiverse,” Marvel Snap allows players to build teams of iconic Marvel characters in thrilling, fast-paced battles.
Despite the setbacks, Second Dinner remains hopeful about the game’s future in the U.S. The company reassured fans that they are working to restore the game as soon as possible.
