TikTok prepares to halt operations in the US, The Information reports
The Chinese social media platform faces a potential US app shutdown amidst legal battle and geopolitical tensions.
TikTok plans to disable its app for all US users on Sunday if the Supreme Court does not block a federal ban, according to a report by The Information. This action would go beyond the law’s requirement, which mandates a ban only on new downloads from Apple and Google app stores while allowing existing users to continue using the app temporarily.
Under TikTok’s plan, users attempting to access the app will be redirected to a website explaining the ban. The company also intends to allow users to download their data for future use. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have yet to comment on these developments.
The ban stems from a law signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. TikTok has challenged the law, arguing that it violates First Amendment protections. In a recent court filing, the company warned that a month-long ban could result in one-third of its 170 million US users leaving the platform permanently.
This potential shutdown reflects the escalating tensions surrounding TikTok’s operations in the United States, as debates over data security and free speech continue.