WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing legal battle, TikTok announced on Saturday, January 19, that it will “go dark” in the United States on Sunday unless the US government provides assurances that a law mandating the platform’s sale or ban will not be used to punish service providers. The decision could leave 170 million US users without access to the popular video-sharing app.
This latest move follows a ruling by the US Supreme Court on Friday, which upheld a law designed to ban TikTok over national security concerns unless its Chinese owners agree to a last-minute deal to sell the platform to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday. The law has already sparked a whirlwind of legal and political maneuvering, with lawmakers and officials now scrambling to prevent the app’s shutdown.
TikTok, which has become a cultural phenomenon in the US with millions of users sharing everything from dance routines to cooking tips, has been under increasing scrutiny due to its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese tech company. Although the platform has enjoyed widespread popularity, the US government has raised concerns about data privacy and potential influence from the Chinese government.
With the deadline rapidly approaching, the pressure is mounting on US President-elect Donald Trump to intervene. Trump, who has previously credited TikTok with connecting him to younger voters and contributing to his 2024 election victory, spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday about the situation. In a social media post, Trump assured users that he would need more time to assess the situation and find a solution, stating: “My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!”
In response to the court’s ruling, TikTok’s CEO, Chew Shou Zi, issued a statement warning that the app would cease operations in the US unless the Biden administration swiftly issues a statement to reassure key service providers, including tech giants like Apple and Google, that they will not face penalties for maintaining the platform’s availability. The Biden administration, which is set to transition to the Trump administration on Monday, has deferred the decision to the incoming president.
Chew expressed gratitude for Trump’s past willingness to work with TikTok, and said the company was continuing its efforts to resolve the situation. “We truly appreciate President Trump’s commitment to finding a solution that works for everyone,” Chew added.
If TikTok is forced to shut down, it will impact not just users, but also the app’s partners. The law requires Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads. Companies that host TikTok’s servers, such as Oracle, could face significant legal penalties if they continue to host the platform.
Meanwhile, potential buyers are circling TikTok’s US operations. Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has made an offer to purchase the US division, with Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary claiming that ByteDance has been offered $20 billion for the deal. However, with legal challenges still looming, experts caution that an executive order by President Trump could be overruled by Congress, as the law was designed to be “president-proof.”
“If an executive order conflicts with an existing law, the law takes precedence, and the order can be struck down by the courts,” said Sarah Kreps, a professor of government and law at Cornell University.
The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future has already led many US users to flock to alternatives. Rival platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are expected to benefit from TikTok’s potential shutdown. Additionally, a growing number of TikTok users have turned to Xiaohongshu (“Little Red Book”), a Chinese social media app similar to Instagram. This week, it became the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store, signaling that TikTok’s competitors are already capitalizing on the unrest.
The clock is ticking for TikTok, and the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the platform will continue to operate in the US or face an unprecedented shutdown.