It remains uncertain how TikTok will adhere to the court’s directive, considering President Joe Biden, who approved the ban, has no intentions of enforcing it, as per the White House. The legislation, set to take effect on January 19, mandates ByteDance, the China-based parent company of the popular social media platform, to secure a buyer or designate an operator for TikTok’s U.S. operations before the looming deadline. The fate of TikTok may hinge on President-elect Donald Trump, set to be inaugurated on the following day, along with the incoming administration.
While Trump previously criticized the app and attempted to ban it during his initial term, he has since shifted his stance, expressing fondness toward the company and voicing a desire to “save” it. Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, has been invited to the upcoming inauguration and is anticipated to make an appearance to address the situation. Chew reassured users, asserting their commitment to ensuring the platform thrives as a space for boundless creativity, discovery, inspiration, and joy for the foreseeable future.
In the event of a ban, the question arises: what will happen to users’ videos? Specifics regarding the timeline are somewhat murky, but the ban is slated to come into effect on Sunday, January 19. TikTok could potentially go offline anytime after 12:01 a.m. ET on the designated day. The ban will also render it unlawful for U.S. internet hosting services and prominent app stores like Apple App Store and Google Play to distribute the application. The intricacies of how the situation will unfold remain undisclosed, with the TikTok team yet to disclose potential impacts on the app and its user base.
As the specter of a ban looms, TikTok creators engaged in a final trend ahead of the Supreme Court decision, bidding farewell to their perceived “Chinese spies.” This gesture alludes to concerns prompting the ban, with some U.S. lawmakers and officials apprehensive that ByteDance may be sharing American user data with the Chinese government. Users participated in sharing heartfelt messages and reminiscences about a platform that fostered community, belonging, and in some cases, served as a means to monetize their passions.
USA TODAY has compiled a series of videos showcasing content creators and influencers reflecting on their experiences with TikTok as a platform that shaped their online presence and provided a creative outlet. Amidst the uncertainties surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S., users and creators bid farewell to a platform that held a significant place in their digital lives.
Contributors to this article include USA TODAY’s Greta Cross, Maureen Grope, Mike Snider, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, and Zac Anderson. This piece originally appeared on USA TODAY, capturing the sentiments of Americans bidding TikTok goodbye amidst the looming threat of a potential ban.
