TikTok to Go Dark on Sunday Amidst Looming US Government Action

Er Mukesh Singh

TikTok Faces Shutdown in the US on Sunday as Supreme Court Ruling Takes Effect

TikTok has announced that it will be forced to “go dark” in the United States by Sunday, January 19, unless the US government intervenes to prevent a ban on the platform. This comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on Friday, which upheld a law that requires TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app’s US operations by Sunday or face a complete shutdown.

In a statement released late Friday, TikTok expressed its frustration, stating that the White House and the Department of Justice had failed to provide the necessary assurances to service providers crucial for maintaining the app’s availability in the US. Without immediate action from the government, the company warned that it would be forced to cease its operations.

The ruling stems from a law passed in April 2022 that mandates ByteDance to divest its US version of TikTok to a neutral party in order to avoid a total ban. The law was designed to address concerns over national security, with the US government fearing that user data on TikTok could be accessed by the Chinese government.

TikTok had challenged the law, arguing that it violated the free speech rights of the app’s 170 million American users. Despite this challenge, the Supreme Court’s ruling means that TikTok will be removed from app stores and web hosting services unless ByteDance finds a buyer for the app’s US operations within days.

What Does This Mean for Users?

While it was initially believed that users who already have TikTok downloaded on their devices would still be able to use the app, the ban will prevent future updates from being made available. Without updates, the app would degrade over time and eventually become unusable. TikTok’s statement on Friday suggests that the app may immediately become unavailable to all users, including those with the app already installed, and to anyone attempting to download it in the future.

Influencers and Creators Face Financial Loss

The potential shutdown has already sparked emotional reactions from influencers and content creators who rely on TikTok as a platform for income. Many are bidding farewell to their followers, expressing the deep impact the ban would have on their careers.

One influencer, Nicole Bloomgarden, shared with the BBC that not being on TikTok would result in a significant salary cut, highlighting the financial toll the ban would have on content creators. Another creator, Erika Thompson, expressed that the loss of educational content on the platform would be the “biggest loss” for the community, noting that TikTok has become an essential resource for learning and sharing knowledge across various fields.

The Search for Alternatives

As the possibility of a ban looms, many TikTok users and creators are already exploring alternative platforms. Some have begun redirecting their followers to other platforms, including the Chinese video app Red Note, which has seen little use in the US until now. Creators are also looking for new avenues to continue sharing their content with their audiences, with some expressing hope that the TikTok ban will prompt the emergence of new, user-friendly platforms for video content.

The Future of TikTok in the US

The next few days will be critical for TikTok’s future in the US. If ByteDance fails to find a buyer for TikTok’s US operations, the app will likely be forced offline, leaving millions of American users without access to the popular social media platform. The clock is ticking for both the company and its users, as the January 19 deadline looms large.

For now, all eyes are on the US government, which has the power to step in and provide the necessary clarity to prevent a total shutdown of TikTok. Whether or not that intervention will come in time remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: TikTok’s fate in the US is hanging by a thread.

Courtesy: LiveNOW from FOX

TikTok Faces Imminent Shutdown as President Biden’s Term Ends and Trump Prepares to Take Office

With President Joe Biden’s term set to end on Monday, January 22, and former President Donald Trump scheduled to be sworn in as the next president, TikTok’s fate in the US hangs in the balance. The White House has indicated that the enforcement of the law concerning TikTok’s ban will fall on the incoming president, leaving Trump with a crucial decision regarding the popular video-sharing app.

Trump’s Changing Position on TikTok

While the Trump administration initially supported a potential ban on TikTok, Trump’s stance appears to have shifted. In a statement made on Friday, the former president acknowledged that he would need more time to review the situation before making any final decision on TikTok’s future.

“My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation,” Trump said. He also disclosed that he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed TikTok, along with other issues, signaling that he may take a more cautious approach moving forward.

During his first term as president, Trump took a hardline stance on the app, even attempting to enact a ban through an executive order. However, in December 2023, Trump revealed that he had developed a “warm spot” for the app due to its role in helping him reach younger voters during the 2024 election campaign. His remarks marked a dramatic reversal from his previous position, leaving uncertainty about whether he will support or oppose the ban once in office.

ByteDance’s Response and the Law’s Impact

Meanwhile, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has made it clear that it will not comply with the law requiring it to divest its US operations. The company stated that it plans to shut down its US operations of the app by Sunday unless a last-minute reprieve is granted.

TikTok has been embroiled in legal battles over its ties to

Courtesy: CBS New York

US Moves to Ban TikTok Amid Growing Concerns Over Chinese Espionage

The looming ban on TikTok is unfolding against a backdrop of escalating concerns in the United States about Chinese espionage and data security. As tensions between the US and China intensify, cybersecurity experts have raised alarms that the popular app could be gathering more user data than initially disclosed.

Fears of Data Collection Beyond TikTok

Cybersecurity firms suggest that TikTok’s data collection extends far beyond what users view or interact with on the app itself. This includes potentially harvesting data about users’ devices, location, and other personal details, which has raised red flags for US lawmakers and intelligence agencies.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland has strongly condemned such practices, arguing that authoritarian regimes, like China’s, should not have “unfettered access” to Americans’ data. He stressed that the decision to push for the ban was a necessary step to prevent China from using TikTok as a tool to “weaponize” information and undermine US national security.

China’s Response and Denial of Espionage Allegations

The Chinese government has responded angrily to the growing calls for TikTok’s ban, particularly in light of the 2017 Chinese law that compels Chinese nationals living abroad to assist the Chinese intelligence services. However, Beijing has denied that it pressures companies like ByteDance to gather data for its intelligence operations. The Chinese government has criticized the US ban as a politically motivated attack on a successful Chinese company.

TikTok’s Defense: Free Speech and Business Impact

TikTok, for its part, has consistently denied that it shares any user data with the Chinese government. The app has defended itself against accusations of espionage, arguing that the ban infringes on free speech and would harm millions of users in the US. TikTok has also pointed out that the potential shutdown would negatively affect not only the users but also advertisers, content creators, and the 7,000 US employees who rely on the app for their livelihoods.

As the US government presses forward with efforts to ban TikTok, the controversy continues to intensify, with national security concerns, free speech rights, and business interests all at play. The final decision on the app’s future will have significant implications not only for the tech industry but also for the millions of Americans who use TikTok daily.

Courtesy: CBS News

Timeline of the TikTok Ban Crisis: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

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