TikTok Set To Be Banned in the U.S.

TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance after a federal appeals court upheld a law that could force the app to sell its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban by January 19, 2025. The ruling affects over 170 million American users who rely on the platform for entertainment, news, and income.

While TikTok plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, experts suggest the app faces an uphill battle. “Given the conservative makeup of the court, it’s hard to see them not siding with national security concerns,” said Josh Schiller, a legal expert.

However, President-elect Donald Trump could provide a potential lifeline. Although Trump initially sought to ban TikTok, he recently stated in June—in a video posted to the platform itself—that he would “never ban TikTok.” Once he takes office in January, Trump may have the power to delay the ban, either by directing the Attorney General not to enforce the law or by declaring TikTok’s divestiture complete, potentially bypassing legal challenges.

For now, TikTok users are scrambling for alternatives to transfer. “TikTok is a huge part of my income,” said content creator Carrie Berk. Others are less concerned, with some believing that the app’s ban won’t happen due to its importance to small businesses.

The case could take months to unfold, but TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain until January 19.