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TikTok plans to shut off its app for users in the United States on Sunday, January 19, if a federal ban on the social network goes into effect, The Information reports, citing its own sources. The decision will take effect unless the Supreme Court blocks the law.

  • However, the complete shutdown of TikTok in the United States, which the company is considering, differs from the requirements of the law. The law only prohibits new downloads of the app through the Apple and Google stores, while allowing existing users to continue using it for a period of time.
  • According to sources familiar with the situation, TikTok plans to inform users who try to open the app via a push notification that will redirect them to a website with details about the ban. In addition, users will be given the option to download all of their data to back up personal information.
  • TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have yet to comment on the matter.

At the same time, according to an internal company memorandum seen by Reuters, TikTok plans to continue paying salaries and providing all social guarantees to its US employees even if the law goes into effect. The company employs 7,000 people in the United States.

AIN reminds that in April last year President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by January 19, 2025 or face a complete ban of the application. At the same time, the company is trying to get at least a postponement of this decision, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.

Last week, the US Supreme Court made it clear that it was likely to uphold the law, despite calls from President-elect Donald Trump and lawmakers to extend the deadline.

Trump, whose inauguration will take place the day after the law goes into effect, said that once in office he should have time to find a "political solution" to the problem.

Earlier, numerous reports stated that Chinese officials are considering selling the American division of TikTok to Elon Musk, one of Trump's closest allies, owner of X platform.