TikTok prepares for shutdown in US this Sunday. What does it mean?

US President Joe Biden signed a new law in April 2024 which states TikTok has to be sold off from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or it would face a US ban

Published on: Jan 15, 2025, 12:34:34 IST

By HT News Desk

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TikTok is planning to shut down the app for US users on the coming Sunday when the conditional federal ban comes into effect, The Information reported.

TikTok logo is displayed on the screen of an iPhone in front of a US flag and Chinese flag background in Washington, DC. (AFP)

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US President Joe Biden signed a new law in April 2024 which states that the app would have to be sold off from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or it would face a nationwide ban in the US.

If TikTok does get shut down in the US, people there may not be able to download the app. Those who already have the app may be able to continue using it for some time.

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TikTok's plan was for people attempting to open the app to see a pop-up message which directs them to a website with details about the ban, the report said.

TikTok also plans to give users the option of being able to download all their data, so that they can have a record of their personal information.

The company has sought at least a delay in the law's implementation, claiming that it violates the US constitution's First Amendment protection against government abridgment of free speech.

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TikTok claimed in a court filing that an estimated one-third of the 170 million Americans who use the app would stop doing so if the ban lasts over a month, according to the report.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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