As TikTok’s potential expiration date approaches, some of its 170 million American users are already grieving the loss of the social media app.
Shocked that the ban could actually happen, many users are already saying their goodbyes to the social media platform after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban on Friday, which means TikTok could be shut down as early as Sunday.
“Oh my god, I’m speechless,” said Lourd Asprec, 21, of Houston, who has 16.3 million followers on TikTok and makes an estimated $80,000 a year from the platform, according to Reuters. “I don’t even care about China stealing my data. They can take all my data from me. Like, if anything, I’ll go to China myself and give them my data.”
Giovanna Gonzalez of Chicago demonstrates outside the U.S. Capitol following a press conference by TikTok creators to voice their opposition to the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” in Washington, D.C. on March 12, 2024.
How TikTok plans to comply with the court’s directive is anyone’s guess since President Joe Biden, who signed off on the ban, has no plans to enforce it, according to the White House. The law, which goes into effect on Jan. 19, requires ByteDance, the China-based parent company of the social media app, to find a buyer or someone to operate TikTok’s U.S. operations before Sunday or go dark.
TikTok’s only hope may lie with President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Monday, and the incoming administration.
Trump once criticized the app and tried to ban it during his first administration but has since embraced the company, though, saying he has a “warm spot” for it and wants to “save” it. Shou Zi Chew, TikTok CEO, was invited to the inauguration and is expected to make an appearance.
“Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to ensure our platform thrives as your online home for limitless creativity and discovery, as well as a source of inspiration and joy for years to come,” Chew said in a Friday TikTok. “Thank you. More to come.”
TikTok: If a ban goes into effect, what happens to your videos? Here’s what to know.
When could TikTok shut down?
Details about the exact timing are still a little murky, but the ban will officially go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19. The app could go dark any time after 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday. The ban will also make it illegal for U.S. internet hosting services and app stores like Apple App Store and Google Play to distribute the application.
In a statement issued Friday night, TikTok said it needs more clarity from the Biden administration and the Justice Department that the ban will not be enforced starting on Sunday.
“Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19,” said the statement sent to USA TODAY.
‘Goodbye TikTok:’ Users hop on one last trend as potential ban looms
A few days before SCOTUS reached a decision, TikTok creators participated in what appeared to be one last trend where they said “goodbye” to their “Chinese spies.”
It was a nod to why legislation enforcing the ban was implemented, as some U.S lawmakers and government officials feared ByteDance, is sharing American user data with the Chinese government. But now, they’re saying goodbye — for real.
USA TODAY has compiled a thread of videos showing content creators and influencers sharing heartfelt messages and memories about an app they say created a sense of community and belonging online. And for others, a way to make money doing something they were passionate about.
Contributing: USA TODAY’s Greta Cross, Maureen Grope, Mike Snider, Jessica Guynn, Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Zac Anderson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Americans bid TikTok farewell as potential ban looms
