By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-19 02:01:13 | Updated at 2025-01-19 05:18:07
3 hours ago
The clock is ticking towards a U.S. ban on TikTok, but users seeking clarity on what that will mean got little information on Saturday from the company that runs the popular video-sharing platform or the tech giants that offer the TikTok app in their digital marketplaces.
Here, DailyMail.com answers some of the most pressing questions about the future of the app.
What is happening with TikTok in the U.S.?
As of now, there is little clarity from TikTok or the tech giants hosting the app on what this will mean for users. The ban stems from a law that prohibits mobile app stores and internet hosting services from distributing TikTok to U.S. users. This law is set to take effect on Sunday with the app likely going 'dark' from midnight EST.
TikTok asked the Biden administration for a 'definitive statement' that would assure Google, Apple and other companies they would not face fines if they continued making its service available nationwide. Otherwise, TikTok said it 'will be forced to go dark' on Sunday.
Experts have said the way the law was written, current TikTok users would continue to have access to the app but wouldn't receive updates, eventually making it unworkable.
But one anonymous source at TikTok has said if users attempt to open the app they will see a pop-up message directing them to a website with information about the ban.
The TikTok ban is set to take effect on Sunday with the app likely going 'dark' from midnight
Will TikTok come back and if so when?
Yes, President-elect Donald Trump stated in an interview with NBC News that he might grant a 60 to 90-day extension to allow TikTok to continue operating beyond Sunday. This would provide more time for TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to an approved buyer.
The ban's timing has complicated matters, perhaps in TikTok's favor: the outgoing Biden administration reiterated on Saturday that it considers the law's implementation and enforcement to be the responsibility of Trump, who takes office on Monday and has pledged to 'save' the app.
Why is this ban happening?
The U.S. government, under both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration, has expressed concerns about national security. ByteDance's ownership of TikTok and its potential to misuse user data have been the primary reasons behind the push for divestment or a ban.
What is the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations?
Under the law, TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, had nine months to sell the platform's U.S. operation to an approved buyer. The law allows the sitting president to extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress.
ByteDance previously said it would not sell, but TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration with a prime seating location.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration with a prime seating location
Are there any buyers interested in TikTok?
Several potential buyers have come forward. Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance on Saturday to create a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok U.S. business. If successful, the new structure would include other investors and allow ByteDance´s existing shareholders to retain their stake in the company.
Perplexity is not asking to purchase the coveted ByteDance algorithm that feeds TikTok users videos based on their interests. It's believed Perplexity are offering north of $50 billion.
Separately, a consortium led by Kevin O'Leary and Frank McCourt offered $20 billion in cash for TikTok.
What about TikTok's algorithm?
Perplexity's proposal does not include acquiring ByteDance's proprietary algorithm, which personalizes video recommendations for users. Instead, they would rebuild a new algorithm for the U.S. platform.
What happens if TikTok is banned?
The specifics remain unclear. Experts suggest that while existing users may still have access to the app, they would not receive updates, rendering the platform less functional over time. TikTok has stated it may be forced to 'go dark' on Sunday if clarity is not provided.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. Pictured, TikTokkers Sarah Baus, left, of Charleston and Tiffany Cianci, who says she is a 'long-form educational content creator'
What has the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the matter?
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. In issuing the decision, justices rejected Trump's request to wait until his administration could pursue a 'political resolution' to the issue.
TikTok, ByteDance and some of the devoted users who rely on the platform argued the statute violated the First Amendment. The Biden administration sought to show ByteDance´s ownership and control of TikTok posed an unacceptable national security threat.
How are TikTok's users and employees reacting?
TikTok users and content creators, who rely on the platform for entertainment and income, have voiced concerns about the potential ban. Meanwhile, TikTok has assured its U.S. employees that their pay, benefits, and employment status remain secure regardless of the app's future.
What is the global context for TikTok?
TikTok has faced scrutiny and legal challenges worldwide. In October, several U.S. states sued TikTok for allegedly harming children's mental health. Internationally, Venezuela and Albania have penalized or restricted TikTok for various reasons, including failure to moderate harmful content and inciting violence.
What's next for TikTok?
The future of TikTok in the U.S. hinges on whether ByteDance can successfully divest its U.S. operations or negotiate terms with the government. President-elect Trump has hinted at announcing a decision on a possible extension by Monday.
TikTok has assured its U.S. employees that their pay, benefits, and employment status remain secure regardless of the app's future. Pictured, workers inside the TikTok building in Culver City, California
What alternatives are there to TikTok?
Uncertainty over the app's future had sent users - mostly younger people - scrambling to alternatives including China-based RedNote, a Chinese social media network similar to Instagram. It was the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.
Rivals Meta and Snap have also seen their shares rise this month ahead of the ban, as investors bet on an influx of users and ad dollars. Other US-based rivals Meta-owned Instagram Reels, Google-owned YouTube Shorts and streaming platform Twitch would likely benefit from the ban.
Lemon8 has also been mentioned as a possible substitute. The app is similar to Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok altogether in one suite. The app is described as a 'lifestyle' social app that allows users to share photos and videos of daily routines.
But Lemon8 was also developed by the same Chinese company as TikTok, ByteDance meaning it may well come under the spotlight soon enough.
Marketing firms reliant on TikTok rushed to prepare contingency plans this week in what one executive described as a 'hair on fire' moment after months of conventional wisdom saying that a solution would materialize to keep the app running.
Uncertainty over the app's future had sent users - mostly younger people - scrambling to alternatives including China-based RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese social media network similar to Instagram. It was the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week
There had been signs TikTok could make a comeback under Trump, who has said he wants to pursue a 'political resolution' of the issue and last month urged the Supreme Court to pause implementation of the ban.
What us the 'TikTok graveyard' trend?
The TikTok graveyard trend was one of the more obscure and offbeat trends to arise on the app.
It saw users creating content around cemeteries and historical burial sites, often focusing on cleaning, restoring, or sharing stories related to those buried beneath.
Some creators caused controversy by cleaning graves without permission, but millions watched the videos - essentially making money for the creator allowing them to continue to pay for cleaning materials to scrub graves clean.
