TikTok is preparing to disable its app for users in the United States starting Sunday, The Information reported on Tuesday.
The move is contingent on whether the Supreme Court intervenes to block a federal ban on the popular social media platform.
The reported shutdown would go beyond the federal law’s stipulation, which mandates a ban only on new TikTok downloads via Apple and Google app stores. Under the law, existing users would still be able to access the app for some time.
According to The Information, TikTok plans to display a pop-up message to users attempting to open the app, redirecting them to a website with details about the ban.
The company also intended to offer users an option to download their personal data to preserve a record of their information.
TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have not yet responded to requests for comment on the report.
The potential ban follows President Joe Biden’s signing of legislation in April 2024 that requires ByteDance to divest its US assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok has been actively challenging the law, arguing that it violates the First Amendment’s protection against government infringement on free speech.
In a court filing last month, TikTok revealed that it estimates one-third of its 170 million American users could stop accessing the platform if a ban is enforced for a month.
The company has also sought a delay in implementing the legislation.
Boluwatife Enome
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