TikTok Prepares for Potential Shutdown in US as Federal Ban Looms
TikTok is bracing for a potential shutdown of its app for US users this Sunday unless the Supreme Court intervenes to block a planned federal ban, The Information reported on Tuesday.
The looming shutdown comes amid increasing pressure from a law signed by President Joe Biden, which mandates that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its US operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
While the law only requires a ban on new downloads from Apple and Google app stores, TikTok’s planned shutdown would go a step further, cutting off access for existing users as well. If the shutdown moves forward, users trying to open the app would reportedly encounter a pop-up message directing them to a website with detailed information about the ban. Additionally, TikTok plans to offer users the option to download their personal data so they can retain a record of their information.
In a December court filing, TikTok estimated that one-third of its 170 million US users would stop using the app if the ban were to last a month. TikTok and ByteDance have argued that the law infringes on the First Amendment, which protects free speech, and are seeking to delay its implementation, claiming it violates constitutional rights.
Both TikTok and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters regarding the report.
The potential ban marks a significant escalation in the US government’s scrutiny of TikTok, with bipartisan concerns about data privacy and national security fueling growing calls for tougher measures against the platform.
As the deadline nears, millions of US users are left in suspense, waiting to see if the app will disappear from their devices this Sunday.
