In a recent notification to users, TikTok has announced that it will be discontinuing operations in the United States starting January 19. The company expresses its commitment to “work on restoring” its service in the U.S. “as soon as possible.”
Here’s the complete message you’ll see when opening TikTok this evening:
Important update from TikTok
We regret to inform you that a new U.S. law banning TikTok will come into effect on January 19, prompting us to temporarily cease our services.
We are diligently working to restore our U.S. service at the earliest opportunity and appreciate your continued support. Please stay tuned.
As of 9 p.m. ET on January 18, TikTok is still operational in the United States. This is expected to change once it hits midnight and transitions into January 19.
The shutdown decision follows TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, failing to comply with a U.S. law requiring the sale of the app or facing a federal prohibition. ByteDance was granted a nine-month period to divest TikTok, and that period now officially concludes at midnight tonight. TikTok even brought its challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the law last Friday.
Political factors are also in play in the U.S. The ban is set to initiate on January 19, which coincides with the last full day of President Biden’s term. President Trump is set to be inaugurated on Monday.
During an interview with NBC News today, Trump suggested he might allow TikTok a 90-day extension:
“I think that would be a valid option we’re considering. A 90-day extension seems likely because it’s warranted. We need to assess it carefully; it’s a significant situation,” Trump remarked in the phone interview. “Should I decide to go forward with this, I’ll likely announce it on Monday.”
In an internal message on Saturday night (acquired by The Verge), TikTok informed its staff that it holds optimistic views regarding the app’s future under Trump:
“We understand this news is disappointing for you as employees and users alike. However, we are lucky that President Trump has shown willingness to collaborate on a plan to reinstate TikTok once he assumes office. Rest assured, our teams are working diligently to bring our app back to the U.S. as swiftly as possible.”
If Trump acts on this plan, TikTok could potentially re-enter the U.S. market as soon as Monday for at least 90 days. However, the future beyond that remains uncertain. Trump had previously supported banning TikTok during his earlier term, and the law taking effect tomorrow received strong bipartisan backing when passed last year.
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