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TikTok plans to shut its app to U.S. customers on Sunday, when a federal ban on the social media app might take impact except the Supreme Courtroom strikes to dam it, sources accustomed to the matter mentioned.
The end result of the closure could be completely different from the result prescribed by legislation. The legislation would solely mandate a ban on new TikTok downloads in Apple or Google’s app shops, whereas present customers would have the ability to proceed utilizing it for some time.
Beneath TikTok’s plan, individuals who attempt to open the app will see a pop-up message directing them to an internet site with details about the ban, the sources mentioned, requesting anonymity as a result of the matter shouldn’t be public.
The corporate additionally plans to provide customers the choice to obtain all their knowledge to allow them to seize their private info, they mentioned.
TikTok and its Chinese language mum or dad firm, ByteDance, didn’t instantly reply to Reuters requests for remark. The Data first reported the information.
Privately held ByteDance is about 60% owned by institutional traders comparable to Blackrock and Common Atlantic, with its founders and staff every proudly owning 20%. It has greater than 7,000 staff in the US.
President Joe Biden had signed a legislation in April final 12 months requiring ByteDance to promote its US property by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
Final week, the U.S. Supreme Courtroom appeared inclined to uphold the legislation, regardless of calls from newly elected President Donald Trump and lawmakers to increase the deadline.
Trump, whose inauguration takes place the day after the legislation takes impact, has mentioned he ought to have time after taking workplace to pursue a “political resolution” to the difficulty.
TikTok and ByteDance have not less than sought a delay in implementing the legislation, which they are saying violates the First Modification protections of the U.S. Structure towards authorities abridgments of freedom of expression.
TikTok mentioned in a courtroom submitting final month that it estimates {that a} third of the 170 million People who use the app would cease accessing the platform if the ban lasts a month.
