In a dramatic turn of events, TikTok is set to enforce a shutdown in the United States beginning Sunday. This comes as speculation grows that the app may act more decisively than users had anticipated.
Unless TikTok secures a buyer by the deadline of January 19, it faces a mandated cessation of operations in the U.S. This requirement stems from legislation signed by President Biden in April, compelling TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its American assets.
Reports indicate that TikTok is strategizing to completely sever U.S. access to the application. New users will be prevented from downloading the app, and those already using it will only receive a notification redirecting them to a message about the ban, effectively barring them from further use of TikTok.
This drastic measure exceeds the current legal stipulations, which permit only a ban on new downloads from app stores while allowing existing users continued access—albeit without updates for the foreseeable future.
The rationale behind TikTok’s potential extreme actions remains unclear, although it is reported that the platform intends to provide users with the opportunity to download their data prior to the shutdown.
Despite ongoing legal challenges to contest the ban, which has been enforced due to concerns over Chinese influence, TikTok faces an uphill battle with limited success in the courts. There remains some hope that ByteDance could identify a last-minute buyer, with entities such as Microsoft and X CEO Elon Musk mentioned as possible candidates.
