On January 15, TikTok is planning to close its application for users in the United States starting Sunday, if a federal ban on the social media app goes into effect, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The repercussions of the shutdown would differ from those set by the law. The law would only enforce a ban on new TikTok downloads on Apple or Google app stores, allowing existing users to still use the app for a certain period.
As per the sources, under TikTok's strategy, individuals trying to access the app will be shown a pop-up message guiding them to a website containing details about the ban. The sources, wishing to remain unidentified, as the matter is not public, also mentioned that TikTok intends to offer users the choice to download all their data to keep a record of their personal information.
Requests for comments from TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance made by Reuters remained without an immediate response.
The news was initially reported by The Information.
In April last year, President Joe Biden had signed a mandate for Bytedance to sell its U.S. assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide prohibition.
The companies have been seeking, at the very least, a prolongation in enforcing the law, alleging that it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, protecting freedom of speech against government intervention.
TikTok stated in a court document last month that one-third of the 170 million Americans using its app might cease using the platform if the ban extends for a month.