Social media platform, TikTok has announced plans to completely shut down its operations in the United States this Sunday if a legislator-ordered ban takes effect as scheduled.
TikTok, which has over 170 million American users, will implement an immediate blackout rather than allowing existing users to continue accessing the platform, according to sources who spoke with The Information.
The shutdown was linked to a January 19 deadline, which requires TikTok to cut ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or halt operations in the US.
Although the law only mandates app stores to remove TikTok and cloud providers to stop hosting US user data, TikTok reportedly plans to suspend its entire service.
Users attempting to open the app after the deadline will see a message explaining the federally mandated ban, along with instructions on how to download their personal data, The Information reports.
The decision came after Supreme Court justices raised skepticism during oral arguments last Friday, indicating they might uphold the ban.
TikTok has challenged the law on First Amendment grounds, which protect freedom of speech.
The reported shutdown is expected to coincide with the US presidential transition, as Donald Trump, who opposes the ban, assumes office on Monday.
So far, ByteDance has refused to sell TikTok’s US operations, but analysts believe this stance could change as the likelihood of a forced exit becomes imminent.
In an internal email obtained by The Verge on Tuesday, TikTok assured its US employees that their “employment, pay, and benefits are secure”, adding that offices will remain open even if the app shuts down.
The company added that it was “planning for various scenarios.”
(PUNCH)