A new law mandating TikTok’s sale or impending ban in the U.S. is set to go into effect this Sunday, January 19, raising uncertainty about the platform’s future for millions of American users. With over 170 million Americans relying on the app for entertainment, news, and business, the clock is ticking, and the company is unlikely to meet the deadline for a sale.
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law that could force TikTok to find a new, non-Chinese owner or face a nationwide ban. Despite the looming deadline, it remains unclear how this situation will play out.
What Happens If TikTok is Banned?
Under the new law, TikTok faces a potential ban in the U.S. unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it to an American owner. Experts expect that the app may be removed from Apple’s and Google’s app stores by Sunday, which would prevent new users from downloading TikTok. However, existing users could still access the platform until it eventually becomes glitchy, stops working, or security updates are no longer available.
There’s also speculation that TikTok itself might pull the plug. According to a report from The Information, TikTok may shut down entirely in the U.S. on Sunday, directing users to an informational page about the ban. However, no official announcement has been made yet. If TikTok does shut down, users may need to rely on a VPN to access the app from outside the country.
Why is TikTok Facing a Ban?
The push to ban TikTok is largely driven by national security concerns. U.S. officials worry that the Chinese government could pressure ByteDance to hand over the personal data of American users, potentially using that information for intelligence purposes or to spread Chinese-backed disinformation. While there’s no evidence that this has happened, experts point to China’s national security laws as a potential risk.
The controversy escalated after a 2022 report revealed that some China-based TikTok employees accessed U.S. user data. TikTok has since taken steps to address these concerns, including moving U.S. data storage to servers owned by Oracle, a Silicon Valley-based tech company. Despite these efforts, U.S. lawmakers have remained unconvinced.
In April 2023, President Joe Biden signed a bill requiring TikTok to either sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban.
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Bipartisan Support for the Ban
The law forcing the potential TikTok ban has garnered strong bipartisan support. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 360-58. The law was fast-tracked through the Senate and passed within a week. Lawmakers also attached funding for Ukrainian military equipment and Israeli missile defense to the TikTok bill, forcing Senate lawmakers to vote on the package as a whole. In February 2023, the Biden administration ordered federal employees to remove TikTok from their government-issued devices.
What’s Next? Could Trump Intervene?
Although the TikTok ban was first proposed during Donald Trump’s presidency, the incoming president has expressed a desire to keep the platform alive in the U.S. Sources say that Trump is exploring ways to delay the ban and negotiate a sale. With the law set to take effect just one day before his inauguration on January 20, Trump could potentially delay enforcement while working on a deal to preserve TikTok’s U.S. operations.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, further suggesting that the incoming president may make saving TikTok a priority. Trump has the authority to extend the ban by 90 days if there is evidence of significant progress toward a sale. However, ByteDance has not publicly indicated that TikTok is up for sale.
Is a Sale Still Possible?
Despite the tight deadline, the possibility of a sale remains. In early January, a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt and investor Kevin O’Leary submitted a formal bid to purchase TikTok’s U.S. assets. The offer would see McCourt’s group buy TikTok’s U.S. operations, though the company would not acquire TikTok’s highly prized algorithm. Chinese officials have reportedly discussed the possibility of selling TikTok to Elon Musk, although both Musk and ByteDance have not commented on these reports.
McCourt’s group has confirmed that they are still in talks with ByteDance but has refrained from revealing the financial details of their offer. Analysts estimate TikTok’s U.S. assets, excluding its algorithm, are worth between $40 billion and $50 billion. The app’s value is difficult to assess, however, as the algorithm is seen as a critical component of TikTok’s success.
The Impact on Users and Creators
If TikTok is banned, millions of users, including creators who have built careers on the platform, will likely face significant disruption. Influencers, such as Eli Rallo and Joanne Molinaro, also known as The Korean Vegan, have expressed concern about the potential loss of income and community they’ve built on TikTok. Many creators have used TikTok as a platform for growing their businesses, showcasing their talents, and connecting with audiences.
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While some users may try to circumvent the ban using VPNs, the ban’s impact will be significant for others, particularly those who rely on TikTok for business purposes.
What Does the Future Hold?
As of now, there are more questions than answers for TikTok users, creators, and tech experts alike. Will TikTok be banned outright, or will a sale occur? Will the app’s features change if it is sold to a new owner? Even if TikTok is sold, the app’s highly successful “For You” feed, which has become its trademark, could be fundamentally altered since the algorithm is unlikely to be part of any sale.
Until Sunday—and potentially even longer—the fate of TikTok remains uncertain. What’s clear, however, is that the platform’s future hangs in the balance, and millions of American users may soon find themselves without access to the app they’ve come to rely on.
For now, TikTok users should prepare for the worst while hoping for a last-minute resolution. Only time will tell whether the app will survive the pressure of U.S. lawmakers and regulatory hurdles, or if Sunday’s deadline will mark the end of its American presence.
