TikTok says it will go dark for 170 million users in US on Sunday

The court’s unanimous 9-0 decision on Friday has left TikTok users in limbo. The ruling came after concerns that China could use the app to collect sensitive data on millions of US citizens for potential espionage. If the app is not sold by the deadline, it will be banned in the US.

Uncertainty for TikTok users

Donald Trump, who is set to return to the presidency on Monday, has indicated his willingness to intervene. Trump attempted to ban TikTok during his previous administration and is expected to play a key role in the app’s future. He has not yet made an official decision but hinted that his team is reviewing the situation.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration in Washington, with hopes that the incoming administration will take action to save the app. Meanwhile, Apple, Google, and other service providers could face heavy fines if they continue supporting TikTok once the ban takes effect.

Biden administration’s silence

TikTok’s future in the US now hinges on immediate action from the Biden administration. The White House has yet to provide the clarity TikTok and its service providers are seeking. The law banning TikTok, which passed Congress with strong bipartisan support last year, is intended to address concerns that foreign adversaries, particularly China, could exploit the platform for national security threats.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Biden has not formally invoked a 90-day delay on the ban, a measure allowed under the law. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that enforcing the law would likely be the responsibility of the next administration.

TikTok’s growing US presence

With over 170 million users in the US, TikTok has become a major social media platform, especially among younger generations. Users expressed shock at the potential ban. Lourd Asprec, a Houston-based influencer with 16.3 million followers, said she was “speechless” at the prospect of losing her primary platform, on which she earns an estimated $80,000 annually.

The app’s future, however, is clouded by the absence of clarity from service providers like Google and Apple, who could face penalties for continuing to offer TikTok in their app stores. Google declined to comment, and Apple did not respond to inquiries.

Is there a way out?

Trump’s return to office could signal a shift in TikTok’s fortunes. Despite his prior attempts to ban the app, Trump may use a law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to allow TikTok to continue operating while mitigating national security concerns.

A buyer for TikTok has yet to emerge, though former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has expressed interest, valuing the company at $20 billion without its powerful algorithm. Trump’s handling of TikTok could give the app a reprieve or secure its future with fewer risks to US security.

What did the US Supreme Court say?

For years, TikTok’s Chinese ownership has raised alarm among US lawmakers. “The scale of TikTok’s influence, combined with its susceptibility to manipulation by China, justifies the government’s concerns,” the Supreme Court wrote in its opinion.