TikTok to ‘go dark’, abandon 170 million users in dramatic staredown

More than 170 million TikTok users are likely to be met with an unexpected statement when they open the app this weekend.

TikTok faces an imminent shutdown in the United States after Congress passed a law last year forcing its Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell the platform or close it on January 19.

The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on TikTok’s challenge to the law.

Following a hearing last Friday, expectations are high that the law will stand. Here is a review of what could happen next for TikTok in the United States.

App store ban

To execute a ban, the US government would direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads from Sunday, a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

In that scenario, the app could remain on the phones of the existing 170 million US users unless TikTok directly blocks their access.

But TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco stated the site would “go dark” on Sunday if the justices fail to block the ban, and a media report said the company was planning a full suspension of service in the US.

According to The Information, users attempting to open the app after the deadline will encounter a message redirecting them to a statement about the federally mandated ban, along with options to download their personal data.

In an internal email obtained by The Verge on Tuesday, TikTok assured its US employees that their “employment, pay, and benefits are secure” and offices will remain open even if the situation remains unresolved by Sunday’s deadline.

Workarounds

Even if TikTok keeps its app accessible, US users would stop receiving security and software updates, leading to gradual deterioration in quality and increased vulnerabilities.

As a workaround, users might turn to VPNs (virtual private networks) to mask their location by routing through countries where TikTok remains available.

Another possibility is that TikTok could update from non-US servers through partnerships with foreign, non-Chinese companies - though this would constitute direct defiance of US authorities and likely intensify scrutiny of ByteDance’s US operations.

TikTok faces an imminent shutdown in the United States after Congress passed a law last year forcing its Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell the platform or close it by this January 19. (Photo by Antonin UTZ / AFP)

Once Trump takes office, the law’s implementation will fall to his lawyer general, who could choose not to enforce it, or stall, defying Congress’s overwhelming support for the legislation.

The Trump administration might also approach the Republican majority in Congress to modify the law, potentially giving ByteDance more time to find a buyer or devise alternative solutions.

Alternatives

Once banned, the assumption is that TikTok users will move to other apps, like Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts, TikTok copycats that have grown and will directly benefit from their rival’s demise.

Elon Musk’s X could also benefit and the tycoon has made it known that he wants his platform, formerly Twitter, to more closely resemble TikTok, with video content and shopping features.

Trump has expressed concern that a ban would primarily be to the advantage of Meta-owned Instagram, which may explain Mark Zuckerberg’s recent public support for Trump.

Some American content creators have already migrated to Xiaohongshu (Red Note), another Chinese social media app that recently topped the Apple App Store downloads.

Investor rescue?

Several potential buyers have emerged, including a group led by Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, even if ByteDance has ruled out a sale for now.

His partner in the bid, Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, recently golfed with Trump and reported the president-elect’s desire to use the TikTok saga as leverage in US-China relations.

A report that the Chinese authorities would be open to a buyout by Musk was denied by TikTok.

Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also remains interested in buying TikTok, according to the Information.

For now, TikTok’s fate rests with the Supreme Court, with the company lawyers asking the nine justices for a delay to any ban to provide “breathing space” for a solution.

“Nobody knows what they can do and who’s going to do it until they hear from the Supreme Court,” Trump told Newsmax on Monday.

- AFP

Originally published as TikTok to ‘go dark’, abandon 170 million users in dramatic staredown