when is tiktok getting banned
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The clock is ticking for TikTok, with the popular video-sharing platform set to go dark on Sunday unless immediate action is taken by the Biden administration. The app, which boasts over 170 million American users, faces a ban stemming from national security concerns unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests ownership to American buyers.
The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, marking a critical turning point in the debate over TikTok’s future in the United States. The bipartisan law requiring divestiture or a ban was signed into law by President Joe Biden in April. However, enforcement of the law now falls to the incoming Trump administration, as Biden’s term ends on Monday.
When Is TikTok Getting Banned?
The official TikTok ban date is set for Sunday, January 19, unless assurances are provided by the Biden administration to halt the enforcement of the ban. TikTok has expressed significant concern over the lack of clarity, warning that it will have no choice but to “go dark” if no action is taken.
In a statement released late Friday, TikTok called for urgent intervention, stating:
“Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately, TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19.”
What Day Is TikTok Getting Banned?
Without intervention, TikTok’s operations will be severely limited starting Sunday. Although existing users may still access the app temporarily, no new downloads or updates will be available, which will gradually render the platform unusable.
The app’s U.S.-based service providers face steep fines—up to $5,000 per user—if they fail to comply with the ban. This has left companies like Apple and Google in limbo, with service providers reportedly seeking assurances they will not be penalized.
TikTok Petition and Public Outcry
Amid the uncertainty, TikTok users and creators have rallied online with a TikTok petition calling for the ban to be lifted. Many argue that the platform is a vital outlet for free speech, creativity, and community engagement.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew addressed the platform’s users in a video on Friday, stating:
“We have been fighting to protect the constitutional right of free speech for the more than 170 million Americans who use our platform every day to connect, create, discover, and achieve their dreams.”
Chew expressed optimism about incoming President-elect Trump’s potential support, thanking him for his commitment to working toward a resolution.
Supreme Court Ruling and National Security Concerns
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ban highlights concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices and its ties to China. The court acknowledged the app’s role as a platform for expression but emphasized that national security concerns outweigh free speech arguments.
In its ruling, the court stated:
“Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”
When Will TikTok Be Banned?
The exact timeline for TikTok’s ban hinges on several moving parts. While the ban could technically begin Sunday, enforcement may be delayed due to the transition of presidential administrations and uncertainty about how the ban will be implemented.
The Trump administration could opt to extend the ban by 90 days if significant progress is made toward a sale. However, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has publicly resisted selling its U.S. operations.
What’s Next for TikTok?
As TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance, the app’s executives, users, and service providers are left in a state of uncertainty. President-elect Trump has indicated that he could work toward a resolution, telling CNN, “It ultimately goes up to me, so you’re going to see what I’m going to do.”
For now, all eyes are on the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to determine whether TikTok can continue operating in the U.S. or if Sunday will mark the beginning of the end for one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.
With no clear resolution in sight, the question remains: When is the TikTok ban, and what does it mean for millions of Americans?
