TikTok Plans US Shut-off on Sunday: Report
TikTok is reportedly preparing to shut down its app for users in the United States this Sunday, January 19, ahead of a potential federal ban that could take effect the same day. According to a report by The Information, the social media giant is taking proactive measures in anticipation of a law that would restrict the app’s operations in the country. This move would be triggered unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes to block the law, which mandates the company’s forced sale of its U.S. assets or a complete nationwide shutdown.
The law in question would not necessitate a full shutdown but would restrict new downloads of TikTok on platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play. However, users who already have the app installed would still be able to access it for some time. TikTok’s approach, according to the report, would involve completely halting access to the app for U.S. users, creating a stark contrast to the law’s stipulations. Instead of being met with a typical error message, users would encounter a pop-up redirecting them to a webpage that explains the ban.
In addition to shutting down access, TikTok plans to offer users the ability to download their personal data, allowing them to retain copies of the information tied to their accounts. This gesture comes in light of growing concerns about the long-term impact of a potential ban on millions of Americans who use the app for entertainment, business, and social interaction.
TikTok US Ban
President Joe Biden signed a law last year that requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. This legislation follows increasing fears among U.S. lawmakers about the potential for Chinese government influence over the app’s vast American user base. TikTok, however, has consistently argued that it is independent of Chinese influence, maintaining that it operates according to U.S. laws and that its data practices are transparent.
The social media platform has contested the law, filing legal challenges to delay or block its enforcement. TikTok’s legal team argues that the law violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects free speech. In a court filing last month, the company claimed that if the ban were to last for a month, approximately one-third of the 170 million American users could abandon the platform entirely, a significant blow to the app’s presence in the U.S.
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As TikTok navigates this uncertain legal and political landscape, the company is poised to face major consequences should the ban go through. However, it remains to be seen whether a judicial intervention or negotiation could provide the company with a reprieve or whether the app will indeed be forced to exit the U.S. market entirely. The coming days are crucial, as TikTok weighs its next steps in a rapidly evolving and high-stakes situation.