TikTok Plans to Cut Off U.S. Users Entirely if Sell-Off Bill is Enacted

It certainly sounds like TikTok will be withdrawn from the US next weekand it could happen faster than many expected.

According to a new report from InformationTikTok plans to shut down US users if/when the sell-off law goes into effect next Monday, meaning that from that day on, TikTok will no longer be available to anyone in the region.

TikTok was expected to be pulled from app stores that day, meaning no more downloads, while TikTok would stop supporting US users on the app. This would mean that the app would still work on your phone, since it can’t be removed from individual devices, but would eventually shut down over time and be unusable to Americans.

But it’s clear that TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, wants to end its relationship with the US as a result of the controversial law, which is likely to lock out US users as soon as the law is passed.

According to Reuters:

“According to TikTok’s plan, people who try to open the app will see a pop-up message directing them to a website with information about the ban. The company also plans to give users the ability to download all their data so they can keep track of their personal information.”

So you’ll be able to access your data after that, but it looks like the app will shut down, effective immediately, after the deadline.

If, of course, it gets to that stage.

There is still a chance to save TikTok, s The Supreme Court has yet to make a decision on the constitutional appeal against the proposed law. A decision on that front is expected any moment, but even if the court doesn’t rule in its favor, TikTok could still get a lifeline through government intervention or by negotiating a takeover deal that would appease US officials.

Both TikTok owner Bytedance and the Chinese government are firm in their intent to oppose the lawand not sell the application to an American partner. But this week there was speculation that the Chinese government is now considering potential options to keep the app available in the US, including the possibility of selling it to a favorable business partner, e.g. Tesla boss Elon Musk.

Musk already has ties to China, with much of Tesla’s manufacturing taking place in the region, and as such, Chinese officials may see him as the preferred liaison for a possible deal to keep the app available in the US. Although there has been no indication yet that Musk might buy it or that he would be interested in doing so.

But time is running out, and with options dwindling, it looks like TikTok will shut down US users starting next week.

Although it’s also worth noting that TikTok is also reportedly preparing contingencies to quickly re-enable the app for US users, should it manage to negotiate a refund at some stage.