TikTok is preparing for a full shutdown in the United States as a ban deadline approaches this Sunday. According to reports from The Information and Reuters, the platform will go completely dark rather than continue its service for existing users. This action follows the U.S. government’s decision to ban the app under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the platform or face a ban.
Under the ban, existing TikTok users would still be able to access the app initially, but it would become unusable as app stores and hosting services would be prohibited from providing updates. TikTok is expected to notify users with a message about the ban and provide options for downloading their personal data. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over TikTok’s ownership and its perceived security risks related to American users’ personal data.
As the ban looms, discussions around TikTok’s future continue. Outgoing President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in April, citing national security concerns. However, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated his willingness to delay the ban to allow more time for a potential sale or alternative solution. The U.S. Supreme Court is also reviewing the constitutionality of the ban, with some justices expressing skepticism about TikTok’s free speech claims.
