(Reuters) – TikTok is reportedly planning to shut off its app for U.S. users on Sunday amid a potential federal ban on the popular social media platform, according to a report by The Information on Tuesday. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes to block the ban, TikTok is expected to cease operations for American users.
If TikTok were to shut down for all U.S. users, it would contravene the provisions of the law. The law specifically calls for a ban solely on new TikTok downloads from Apple or Google app stores, allowing existing users to continue using the app for a certain period. Sources familiar with the matter mentioned that individuals attempting to access the app would be greeted with a pop-up message redirecting them to a website containing details about the impending ban.
In addition, TikTok intends to offer users the opportunity to download all their data, enabling them to retain a copy of their personal information. Both TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have yet to respond to Reuters’ request for comments on the situation.
Last April, President Joe Biden signed a law mandating that ByteDance must divest its U.S. assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide prohibition. The companies involved have requested, at the very least, a postponement in the enforcement of the law, arguing that it infringes upon the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards free speech.
In a recent court filing, TikTok disclosed that it anticipates approximately one-third of its 170 million American users would discontinue using the platform if the ban were to extend for a month.
(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K and Mrigank Dhaniwala)
