TikTok faces final day in US as ban begins tomorrow

The United States is on the verge of banning TikTok, the widely popular social media platform owned by China’s ByteDance, citing national security concerns.
This follows a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 17, 2025, to uphold a federal law requiring ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
The Court acknowledged the innovative nature of new technologies but emphasized the need to address risks associated with foreign-controlled applications.
If ByteDance fails to comply with the divestiture requirement, TikTok will no longer be available for downloads, updates, or maintenance in the United States after the deadline.
This move will affect over 170 million American users, although those with the app already installed may continue to use it without updates for a limited time.
According to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters, the app’s shutdown will be enforced through restrictions on its availability across major platforms.
TikTok has responded with plans to “go dark” in the U.S. unless the Biden administration provides assurances of leniency.
The platform has notified users about the potential disruption, with concerns mounting over its 170 million-strong American user base.
While ByteDance has proposed routing U.S. user data through an American partner, skepticism remains high due to the Chinese government’s export restrictions on the app’s proprietary algorithm, as reported by Vanity Fair.
This development coincides with a significant political transition.
President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, 2025, has previously advocated for a TikTok ban but has since amassed a significant following on the platform.
Trump has hinted at a possible executive order to extend the divestiture deadline, signaling an openness to alternatives while prioritizing national security.