TikTok issued a warning on Friday stating that it will be shut down in the United States on Sunday unless President Joe Biden’s administration offers assurances to companies like Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions during the ban.
This announcement comes shortly after the US Supreme Court upheld a law that would ban the social media platform in the country on national security grounds if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to sell it.
The decision has left the popular app and its 170 million American users in limbo, with their future now dependent on the incoming president, Donald Trump, who has promised to intervene once he resumes office on Monday.
“The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans.
“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,” TikTok said in a statement.
Following the US Supreme Court’s decision, the incoming president, Donald Trump, in a post on social media said the Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it.
“My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned,” he said.
Responding to the decision, TikTok CEO, Shou Chew, said that the company will continue its efforts to ensure the app remains accessible for Americans potentially now with an assist from President-elect, Donald Trump.
“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.
“On behalf of everyone at TikTok, and our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Chew said.
