TikTok is set to shut down its U.S. operations on Sunday, January 19, following the implementation of the "sell or ban" law. This deadline was established after President Joe Biden signed a bill in April 2024, requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. The law mandates that the app be removed from Google and Apple stores, marking a significant shift for the platform, which is used by over 10 million Americans.
As the deadline approaches, President-elect Donald Trump, whose term begins the day after the ban takes effect, is considering issuing an executive order to delay the shutdown for 60 to 90 days. However, there has been little clarity on the legality of such a move. In December, Trump urged the court to delay its decision, aiming for a "political solution" once he is in office.
Despite speculation that TikTok could be sold to Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, the company dismissed these rumors as “pure fiction.” Meanwhile, incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz hinted that a solution could be found to protect both users and data, though this remains uncertain.
On the other hand, a White House official stated that President Biden has no plans to block the ban in his final days in office, leaving little hope for intervention. In a separate move, U.S. Senator Ed Markey sought to extend ByteDance's deadline for divesting TikTok by 270 days, but the proposal was blocked by Republican Senator Tom Cotton. The Supreme Court has also shown a willingness to uphold the law, despite calls for an extension from lawmakers.
In defense of the law, TikTok has argued that it violates the First Amendment by infringing on free speech. The company warned that if the ban takes effect, a third of its 170 million U.S. users could stop accessing the app within a month.
If TikTok is banned, the company plans to show users a pop-up message directing them to a website with more information. Users will also have the option to download their data before the app becomes unusable. As the shutdown looms, the company is also preparing for potential consequences in other countries, where access may be disrupted due to the ban's impact on U.S. service providers.
The final ruling on the law will occur on January 19, with the possibility of an extension or a preliminary injunction if the Supreme Court decides to allow more time for deliberation.
