TikTok Prepares for Potential U.S. Shutdown Amid Federal Ban Threat
TikTok, the popular social media app with over 170 million American users, is gearing up to cease operations in the United States by Sunday, as a federal ban looms, unless there is a last-minute intervention.
The looming ban is rooted in a law signed in April 2024, requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets by January 19. If ByteDance does not comply, TikTok will face nationwide restrictions. Although the matter is still under legal review, the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet issued a final ruling.
TikTok’s Shutdown Plans
As the ban approaches, sources close to TikTok have revealed that users attempting to access the app after the ban is enforced will receive a pop-up message directing them to a website detailing the ban. Additionally, the company plans to provide users with the option to download their personal data before the platform goes offline.
TikTok’s attorney, Noel Francisco, warned during a Supreme Court hearing that if the ban is upheld, the company’s services in the U.S. would essentially shut down, affecting not only U.S. users but potentially also operations in other countries dependent on U.S.-based service providers.
Read More: TikTok Introduces Custom AI Voiceover Feature
Political and Legal Impasse
The Biden administration, which signed the law mandating ByteDance’s divestment, has refrained from intervening, with a White House official clarifying that President Biden cannot act without a credible divestment plan from ByteDance. Efforts in Congress to extend the deadline have also been met with resistance, with a proposal for a 270-day extension blocked by Senator Tom Cotton.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office after the ban’s enforcement, has floated the idea of seeking a “political resolution”. Reports indicate that Trump may consider issuing an executive order to delay the ban by 60 to 90 days, but legal experts question the viability of such an action.
Global Impact and Legal Battle
A ban in the U.S. could have significant global consequences for TikTok. The app’s reliance on U.S.-based service providers could disrupt access for users in other countries as well, the company has warned in its court filings.
ByteDance, which is privately held and employs over 7,000 people in the U.S., has argued that the ban violates First Amendment protections and restricts free speech. While TikTok and ByteDance continue to push for a delay or alternative resolution, the company’s shutdown plans aim to protect service providers from legal liability and allow the app to resume operations swiftly if the ban is later reversed.
With the Supreme Court’s decision pending, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance. The upcoming ruling will determine whether the app faces an immediate shutdown or whether it can continue operations as legal challenges unfold.
