January 19th is a crucial date for TikTok users in the U.S., as the much-discussed TikTok ban is expected to take effect. The big question is: what time will this measure be enforced? If you’re someone who spends hours on the app and are concerned about how this will affect you, today on Mag, I’ll bring you all the details you need to know. I’ll explain what we know so far about the exact timing of when the ban could become a reality and what changes you might expect.
After the Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban on Friday, the app could be shut down this Sunday. Although the court rejected ByteDance’s argument about violating freedom of speech, there is still uncertainty about the platform’s future. According to USA Today, the Biden administration, in its final days, has no plans to enforce the ban for now.
Donald Trump, president-elect, who proposed the TikTok ban in 2020 over national security concerns, now believes the app can still be kept in the U.S. The measure requires ByteDance to find a buyer or someone to manage operations in the country. On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he will make a decision about TikTok soon, but needs time to review the situation. “Stay tuned!”.
In a video posted on Friday on TikTok, the app’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, reassured users, saying: “Rest assured that we will do everything we can to ensure our platform remains your online home for creativity, unlimited discovery, and a source of inspiration and joy in the future. Thank you. There’s more to come.”
In a statement issued on Friday, TikTok asked for more clarity from the Biden administration and the Department of Justice on whether the ban will take effect on Sunday. The letter sent to the mentioned outlet states: “Unless the Biden administration immediately provides a definitive statement assuring critical service providers that there will be no enforcement, unfortunately, TikTok will shut down on January 19th.”
According to USA Today, since the TikTok ban in the U.S. takes effect on January 19th, the app is expected to be blocked after 12:01 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday.
The uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the TikTok ban in the U.S. remains high, as cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton stated, “No one, except the TikTok team, really knows, and they’re not saying.” Despite the Supreme Court upholding the measure, Payton warned that we are entering “uncertain territory” regarding how the ban will be carried out. The expert also highlighted to the mentioned outlet that the lack of clarity is creating confusion about the next steps.
“We won’t have any idea until midnight on the 19th in the U.S. how this will unfold,” said Payton, who is the CEO and founder of Fortalice Solutions, a business intelligence and cybersecurity operations firm.
TikTok was blocked in the United States hours before the law prohibiting its use in the country came into effect.
Suddenly, the application notified its users about this ban, informing them that they would not be able to access it for the moment.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office,” the application stated.
Despite this measure, Joe Biden, outgoing president, hinted at the possibility of granting a 90-day extension to the platform. However, the White House clarified that the final decision was up to the new government.
“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take action in the coming days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
With the ban in place, TikTok was removed from app stores and its website stopped showing videos in the United States.
Contenido GEC