It plans to shut down its app on Sunday for users in , as the federal ban on the app goes into effect, The Information reported yesterday, Tuesday.
At the same time, the leadership of the company, with an internal memo, tried to reassure its American workers, stressing that it will continue to pay them their salaries.
If TikTok is shut down for all US users, the effects will be different than what the law provides. The federal ban, which takes effect on January 19, will prevent new users from downloading the TikTok app from Apple’s or Google’s online stores.
However, existing users will still be able to access it, although the services provided to them are expected to be gradually reduced and eventually stopped as other companies will be banned from supporting TikTok.
Trump’s prompt
The company has appealed to the US Supreme Court asking it to block the ban. Last week, Supreme Court justices appeared unwilling to block the law over national security concerns, despite urging from President-elect Donald Trump.
Based on TikTok’s plans, as described by The Information citing people with knowledge of the matter, users who try to open the app starting January 19 will see a message directing them to a website with information about the ban imposed. in the application.
TikTok also plans to give users the option to download all their assets and personal information.
TikTok and its Chinese subsidiary ByteDance did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Outgoing US President Joe Biden signed a law in April requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by January 19, 2025 or else suspend operations in the country.
The next steps for TikTok
TikTok and ByteDance seek with their appeal to the Supreme Court to at least delay the implementation of the law, which, as they complain, violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, TikTok’s leadership has assured its American workers that it will continue to pay them their wages even if the Supreme Court does not block the law, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters.
The company has 7,000 employees in the US, while TikTok users in that country number 170 million.
“I cannot stress enough that your well-being is the number one priority and (…) I want to reiterate that your job, your wages and your benefits as US workers are secure and our offices will remain open, even if this situation is not resolved by the January 19 deadline,” the internal memo said.
