Social media platform, TikTok is on the verge of being completely shut down in the United States by Sunday, should a ban ordered by legislators pull through as planned.
According to credible reports, the social media giant has made plans to implement an immediate blackout to its over 170 million American users, rather than allowing existing users continued access as had been expected.
The apparent shutdown comes as TikTok faces a January 19 legislative deadline to cut ties with its Chinese parent company ByteDance or cease operations in the US.
While the law only requires app stores to remove TikTok and cloud providers to stop hosting US user data, the company will reportedly opt for a full suspension of service.
Once the deadline elapses, Users attempting to open the app will encounter a message redirecting them to a statement about the federally mandated ban, along with options to download their personal data.
The shutdown would coincide with the US presidential transition, as Donald Trump, who has expressed opposition to the ban, takes office Monday.
ByteDance which challenged the law on First Amendment grounds, which protect freedom of speech, has so far refused to sell TikTok’s US operations, though analysts say this position could shift as the reality of a forced market exit looms.
