On Sunday, TikTok is scheduled to go dark for its 170 million American users following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law that would ban the app in the United States on the same day. President Joe Biden had signed a law in April requiring TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, to sell the popular social media platform to a U.S. company or face a shutdown due to concerns over national security risks posed by China’s involvement.
In a statement on Friday, TikTok announced that it would be forced to go dark on Jan. 19 unless the Biden Administration provided more definitive assurances before the ban. The fate of TikTok and its American users hangs in the balance as the scheduled ban approaches.
According to Noel Francisco, an attorney for TikTok, the app would essentially shut down if it went dark. The company had considered this move as a last resort, as reported by NBC News earlier in the week. Despite TikTok’s efforts to pressure the Biden administration for clarity, the White House stated that decisions regarding the law’s implementation should be left to the incoming administration.
TikTok expressed disappointment that the statements from the White House and the Department of Justice lacked the necessary clarity to ensure the app’s availability to its American users. In response to TikTok’s threat to go dark, the White House dismissed it as a “stunt” and advised companies to address their concerns with the incoming administration.
The ban on TikTok is rooted in concerns over potential national security risks due to China’s involvement with the app. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law was based on arguments that the ban was not a violation of free speech. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the need to prevent the Chinese government from using TikTok to undermine national security, while Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco highlighted the importance of protecting Americans’ sensitive data from authoritarian regimes.
Protecting Americans, Not Restricting Free Speech
What are TikTok users and creators up to these days? Many TikTok creators are steering their followers towards other platforms they are already active on, such as YouTube and Instagram. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, announced on Saturday that users can now upload reels up to three minutes long. Previously, the app only allowed reels up to 90 seconds; however, this change was made in response to feedback from creators requesting the ability to share longer videos. One of the attractions of TikTok is its flexibility in allowing users to create both short and long videos.
“We’re hopeful that extending the limit to three minutes will enable you to convey the stories you truly wish to share,” Mosseri commented in a video statement. In October, YouTube also revealed that users can now post YouTube Shorts up to three minutes long, a feature highly requested by creators.
Other Chinese-owned apps are gaining traction as well. Singer-songwriter Jaylah Hickmon, known as Doechii, notified her 2.5 million TikTok followers that they can find her on the app RedNote, which permits users to share short-form videos and images. Despite its popularity, RedNote, owned by Shanghai-based Xingyin Information Technology, has raised concerns among government insiders and experts who fear it poses a greater national security and privacy risk than TikTok.
TikTok has been promoting its sister app, Lemon8, which enables users to upload photos and videos. Owned by ByteDance, Lemon8 requires users to log in using their TikTok accounts and suggests they follow the same people they are connected with on TikTok who have Lemon8 accounts. Users can then select their preferences before accessing the main feed to view videos and photos.
Can President Trump prevent the ban on TikTok? The ultimate decision on TikTok’s future seems to rest with President-elect Donald Trump. Despite failing to ban the platform during his first term, Trump has since shifted his stance. In his 2024 campaign, Trump joined TikTok and stated in a video posted in June, “I will protect TikTok.” On Friday, he issued a cryptic statement on Truth Social, emphasizing that “everyone must adhere to” the Supreme Court’s ruling. However, in a conversation on Saturday with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Trump indicated he will likely grant TikTok a 90-day extension.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is anticipated to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday and will be seated with other tech executives. In a video on Friday, Chew expressed gratitude to Trump “for his dedication to collaborate with us in finding a resolution that maintains TikTok’s availability in the United States.”
Could TikTok still be sold? Yes, TikTok could potentially be sold, but ByteDance has consistently stated that it has no intentions of selling. There have been substantial offers to acquire the platform, including from billionaire businessman and real estate magnate Frank McCourt. McC
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