TikTok Tensions Tighten: U.S. Ban May Begin Sunday
TikTok could be banned in the United States starting Sunday unless the Supreme Court intervenes to suspend the ban, according to a report by The Information, cited by Reuters.
Under TikTok’s contingency plan, users attempting to open the app after a ban would see a pop-up message redirecting them to a website with detailed information about the restriction. Additionally, users would be given the opportunity to download and save their personal data.
However, the proposed legislation does not call for a complete shutdown of the app but rather prohibits new downloads. According to the law, TikTok will no longer be available on Apple or Google app stores, but existing users may still access the app temporarily.
President Joe Biden signed legislation in April last year requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets by January 19. If the company fails to comply, the app will be banned nationwide.
TikTok and ByteDance have been contesting the law, arguing it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech. They have filed appeals seeking a delay in implementing the ban.
In a court filing last month, TikTok estimated that if the ban remains in effect for one month, one-third of its 170 million U.S. users would stop using the app.
Neither TikTok nor ByteDance has commented on the matter at this time.
