TikTok, the wildly popular video-sharing app, has announced that it will “go dark” in the United States on Sunday, January 19, unless the government steps in to prevent a ban. The move comes after the U.S. The Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to a neutral party by this weekend, or face an outright ban.
In a statement released late Friday, TikTok said it had not received the assurances it needed from the White House or the Department of Justice to keep operating. Without immediate action, the app will become unavailable to its 170 million U.S. users starting Sunday.
The Supreme Court’s decision means TikTok will be removed from app stores and hosting platforms unless ByteDance finds a buyer in time, a scenario that now seems unlikely. While it was initially thought that users with the app already installed could continue using it, TikTok’s latest statement suggests otherwise. The platform may become inaccessible to everyone, including existing users, as soon as the ban takes effect.
This marks a major turning point for creators and fans of the app, which has become a cultural phenomenon in the U.S., particularly among younger audiences. Many influencers have already begun saying emotional goodbyes to their followers and directing them to other platforms like RedNote, a lesser-known Chinese video-sharing app.
The U.S. government has long expressed concerns about TikTok’s ties to China, citing potential risks to national security. Critics worry that ByteDance could be pressured by Beijing to share user data or manipulate content on behalf of the Chinese government, claims both ByteDance and China have denied.
The controversy reached its peak last April when President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill giving ByteDance six months to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. TikTok challenged the law in court, arguing it violated free speech protections for its users and creators. But on Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the law, effectively sealing TikTok’s fate unless a last-minute deal is struck.
For many creators, TikTok isn’t just an app, it’s their livelihood. Nicole Bloomgarden, a popular influencer, told the BBC that losing TikTok would mean a significant financial hit for her and others who rely on brand deals and ad revenue from their content. Erika Thompson, another creator, said the platform’s educational value would be one of its biggest losses.
“TikTok gave people opportunities they wouldn’t find anywhere else,” said Thompson. “It’s heartbreaking.”
The impending ban lands just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office on Monday. Interestingly, Trump, who supported banning TikTok during his first term, has softened his stance this time around. On Friday, he told reporters he needs more time to review the situation but hinted he might oppose the ban altogether.
“I have a warm spot for TikTok,” Trump said in December, crediting the app with helping him connect with young voters during his 2024 campaign.
ByteDance has repeatedly refused to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations and now says it plans to shut down its services in America if no resolution is reached by Sunday. The clock is ticking for both ByteDance and millions of users who have made TikTok an integral part of their daily lives.
