TikTok says it will go “dark” in the United States on Sunday unless the government provides assurances that the new law banning it will not be used to punish service providers.
TikTok said in a statement, “Unless the Biden administration immediately makes a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, TikTok will unfortunately be forced to go dark on January 19.” Will go.”
The US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law backed by President Joe Biden and Congress that requires app owner ByteDance to sell TikTok or shut down US operations by January 19.
Following the Supreme Court decision, TikTok said, “The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice fail to provide the necessary clarity and assurances to service providers who must maintain the availability of TikTok for more than 170 million Americans.” are integral to.” ,
The unanimous decision found that the law does not violate the right to free speech, dealing a major blow to TikTok and creating uncertainty about what will happen if the ban takes effect. The court agreed with the government’s national security concerns about Chinese company ByteDance’s ownership of the app.
ByteDance has steadfastly refused to sell its US operations, a stance Beijing has also taken, denouncing the law as theft.
The judges acknowledged that, “for more than 170 million Americans,” the social media giant “provides a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, a means of engagement, and a source of community.”
But, the court concluded, “Congress has determined that divestment is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationships with a foreign adversary.”
Even though the ban is now in place, the Biden White House has said it will not enforce it, leaving the matter to incoming President Donald Trump.
Trump, who opposed the ban, discussed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
“The Supreme Court’s decision was expected and everyone should respect it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said he would need time to find an alternative to the ban.
The Justice Department noted that implementing the law “will be a process that will continue over time”, in a possible indication that it does not intend to enforce the law at this time. Despite the defeat in court, TikTok Chief Executive Shaw Chew thanked Trump for his “commitment to working with us to find a solution.”
“Trump really understands our platform,” he said.
TikTok has been lobbying furiously to thwart implementation of the law, with Chew scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
According to the law, Apple and Google will have to remove TikTok from their app stores, which will prevent new downloads. Companies could face fines of up to $5,000 per user who accesses the app.
As reported in US media, Chew gave no indication whether TikTok would unilaterally shut down its platform in the United States if the ban goes into effect.
TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco warned that TikTok would shut down on Sunday in the event of a legal defeat.
‘Viable deal’
Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News that the administration would work “to keep TikTok from going dark,” noting that the legislation would work if the White House could show progress toward a “viable deal.” Allows a delay of up to 90 days.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has expressed interest in leading the purchase of TikTok’s U.S. activity and said he is “ready to work with the company and President Trump to complete the deal.”
The ban would significantly benefit US-owned rivals Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, but influencers said TikTok’s unique capabilities could not be matched.
“It’s much easier to make videos and reach people on TikTok than on many other platforms,” said Nathan Espinoza, who has more than 500,000 followers on TikTok.
Courtney Spreitzer, head of digital marketing agency Socialfly, said TikTok creators were in “huge uncertainty”.
Among advertisers, “some are betting that the shutdown will happen, while others are more optimistic that it will continue beyond Sunday.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
