Tiktok is banned in the US starting January 19: Here’s what we know

Content creators and influencers of AmericaTok (American Tiktok) have now one by one bid their goodbyes in the online platform.

 

TikTok, the popular video reel app is banned in the United States effective today Sunday, January 19 leaving some of its users both disappointed and disdained.

 

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The was due to the unanimous decision of both the US Supreme Court and the Biden Administration as both have made forced deals with the app’s mother company, ByteDance, to sell its stakes to an American owned company.

 

Reasons such as posing as both a “personal” and “national” security threat, the previous administration passed a legislation last April 2024 which gave the company its deadline which will be issued today, Jan 19 — the day before a new president comes to office.

 

According to an article of CBS News, the court’s decision on the app’s ban was based on their justification that, “Countering China’s collection of data from TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users and its purported ability to manipulate content on the app to further its geopolitical interests.”

 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩’𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Though this may be a critical event, the Biden administration still leaves the enforcement of this law to the newly appointed President Donald Trump which had early on vowed to “save” the app.

 

Trump, once he sits again in office, is considering to pass on an executive order to uplift the ban-or-sale law for at least 60 to 90 days for further negotiations.

 

On the other hand, a content creator wants to also join in on the negotiations.

 

Famous American YouTuber and business man, MrBeast, posted a video last January 16 saying that he plans on buying Tiktok.

 

“I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of billionaires; TikTok, we mean business,” said MrBeast.

He then shows his lawyer holding a briefcase where inside holds a bunch of documents.

 

“This is my lawyer right here [and] we have an offer ready for you. We want to buy the platform. America deserves TikTok!,” he affirms.

View the video here: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6qjw5ch/

 

But, despite all the convincing, the app still has to go on shutdown while the law is still in effect, leaving behind its 170 million American users.

TikTok issued a statement regarding it’s ban on the country, “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 Americans.”

“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,” read a portion of the statement.

Though this does not pose a great impact here in the Philippines, it still has its effects, as users won’t be seeing some of the favorite influencers of AmericanTok such as Zack King, MrBeast, Bretman Rock, and Geloy Concepcion on the app.

 

Graphics by Mae Elaine Mateo