TikTok, the popular social media app used by over 170 million Americans, plans to shut down its U.S. operations on Sunday, unless a last-minute legal reprieve is granted. This decision follows a federal ban set to take effect, as TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has not divested the platform as required by U.S. law.
The Washington Post reported that President-elect Donald Trump, whose term begins the day after the ban, is considering issuing an executive order to suspend enforcement of the shutdown for 60 to 90 days. However, it remains unclear how Trump could legally implement such a delay. The law, signed in April 2024, mandates a ban on new TikTok downloads from Apple and Google app stores if ByteDance fails to comply with the divestiture requirements. Users who have already downloaded the app would theoretically retain access, but the law also prohibits U.S. companies from providing services for the platform’s maintenance, updates, or distribution starting Sunday.
A White House official stated that President Joe Biden has no plans to intervene to block the ban in his final days in office unless ByteDance provides a credible divestiture plan. The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether to uphold the law, overturn it, or pause enforcement to allow more time for a decision. TikTok’s lawyer, Noel Francisco, warned the Supreme Court last week, saying, “We go dark. Essentially, the platform shuts down.”
If the ban proceeds, TikTok plans to display a pop-up message for U.S. users, directing them to a website with information about the shutdown. Additionally, the company will provide an option for users to download their data to retain a record of their personal information. TikTok’s court filings argue that the ban could disrupt services for tens of millions of users globally, as many of the service providers supporting the platform are based in the United States. The company noted that U.S.-based data centers would likely stop storing TikTok’s code, content, or data, effectively crippling operations worldwide.
U.S. Senator Ed Markey sought to extend the deadline for ByteDance’s divestiture by 270 days, but the proposal was blocked by Republican Senator Tom Cotton. ByteDance has argued that the law violates the First Amendment’s protection against government abridgment of free speech.
ByteDance, which is privately held, is 60% owned by institutional investors, including BlackRock and General Atlantic, with founders and employees each holding 20%. The company has more than 7,000 employees in the United States. If the ban is reversed in the future, TikTok reportedly can resume services for U.S. users in a relatively short time. The looming ban raises significant concerns over data privacy, freedom of speech, and global connectivity, making TikTok’s fate a critical issue in the evolving landscape of social media regulation.
