TikTok faces an uncertain future in the United States, with a nationwide ban looming on Sunday unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests its U.S. operations.
The ban stems from legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, citing national security concerns over data privacy and Chinese government influence.
If enforced, the ban would remove TikTok from app stores and prohibit U.S. companies from supporting the app’s operations, effectively rendering it inaccessible.
Despite the uncertainty, TikTok remains immensely popular, with 170 million American users. However, USA Today reports that over half a million users have already migrated to alternative platforms like RedNote.
The Washington Post reported Donald Trump, the President-elect, who assumes office a day after the ban would start, was considering invoking an executive order to suspend enforcement of a shutdown for 60 to 90 days.
Trump, who is transitioning back into office, has not stated the looming ban. However, he has previously indicated that he plans to address the matter after taking office, advocating for a "political resolution" to the issue.
Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser under Trump, expressed optimism about finding a balanced approach.
Speaking to Fox News, Waltz described TikTok as "a fantastic platform" while emphasising the need to safeguard user data.
“We’re going to find a way to preserve it but protect people’s data,” he stated.
The ban has sparked intense debate, with TikTok arguing that the move violates First Amendment protections for free speech. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of the law and its potential implications.
The outcome of this decision could have significant repercussions for the app’s 170 million U.S. users and potentially influence how the U.S. regulates other foreign-owned platforms in the future.
An unnamed administration official told the network, “Americans shouldn’t expect TikTok to be suddenly banned on Sunday,” indicating that immediate action might not be taken.
Meanwhile, efforts to delay the ban have faced hurdles. On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Ed Markey sought unanimous consent to extend the deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok by an additional 270 days. However, the proposal was blocked by Republican Senator Tom Cotton.
Should the ban come into effect, TikTok reportedly plans to notify users attempting to access the app with a pop-up message directing them to a website providing detailed information about the ban, according to anonymous sources familiar with the situation.
TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco, during a hearing at the Supreme Court last week, highlighted the potential consequences of the ban. "We go dark. Essentially, the platform shuts down," Francisco stated, emphasising the severity of the situation.