Is TikTok Getting Banned in the U.S.? Major Decision Looms for January 19th

17.12.2024 - 00:40

The fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance as the government pushes for drastic measures. If ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company, doesn’t sell TikTok by January 19th, the platform could face a nationwide ban. The U.S. government cites concerns over potential data-sharing risks with China, sparking legal battles from TikTok. Even a Supreme Court appeal might not be enough to secure the app’s future in the U.S., leaving millions of users wondering what's next. Find out all the details about this unfolding controversy!

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, and Apple are preparing to remove TikTok from their app stores in the United States by January 19.

The call for this action was outlined in a letter authored by John Moolenaar, Chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on China, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, the committee's ranking Democrat.

Last week, a U.S. federal appeals court approved legislation requiring the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to either withdraw TikTok from the U.S. market or face a ban.

TikTok currently has 170 million users in the United States.

Additionally, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi urged TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to consider selling the app.

“Congress has taken decisive steps to defend the national security of the United States and to protect TikTok’s American users from the Chinese Communist Party. We urge TikTok to immediately engage in a qualified divestiture process,” they stated.

Apple, Alphabet, and TikTok have not commented on the matter.

On Monday, ByteDance and TikTok filed an emergency appeal to temporarily block the enforcement of the law while awaiting a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Department of Justice clarified on Wednesday that the ban, if enforced on January 19, would not immediately prevent Apple and Google users who have already downloaded TikTok from using the app.

However, the ban on support services could render the app inoperable over time.

In a statement on Thursday, TikTok confirmed that unless a court intervenes, the app will be removed from mobile app stores on January 19, leaving new users unable to access it.

ByteDance and TikTok also expressed hope that President-elect Donald Trump would intervene to block the ban.

Senator Josh Hawley emphasized that ByteDance would likely have to sell TikTok, stating that the law leaves no room for flexibility.

If TikTok is not sold or if the Supreme Court does not issue a favorable ruling, the ban will take effect on January 19. The company now faces a deadline of approximately one month.