TikTok said late Friday that its platform will “go dark” in the U.S. on Sunday unless President Joe Biden intervenes.
The statement followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a law requiring the China-based company to sell to an American owner or face a nationwide ban.
"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.
Statement on Possible Shutdown
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 18, 2025
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…
The justices voted unanimously Friday to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support in early 2024.
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After the decision was announced, the White House said President Joe Biden, who signed the bill into law, would not take further action.
"Given the sheer fact of timing, this Administration recognizes that actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next Administration, which takes office on Monday," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Lawmakers cited security concerns when passing the
law, which was signed by President Biden. They worried the Chinese government could force ByteDance to share user data and manipulate algorithms to influence U.S. public opinion.
Lawyers for TikTok disputed that concern and unsuccessfully argued that the law infringes on American's rights to free speech.
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"There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community," the court said in its opinion. "But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights."
President-elect Donald Trump, who at one time supported a TikTok ban, said on Friday that the Supreme Court's decision was expected and must be respected.
"My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation," he posted on Truth Social.
The CEO of TikTok has been invited to Trump's inauguration on Monday. A source familiar with the discussions tells Scripps News that Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend the event.
