TikTok has officially announced its plans to shut down operations in the United States by January 19, 2025.
In a December 9 legal filing, the platform stated, “Absent such relief, the Act will take effect on January 19, 2025. That would shut down TikTok—one of the Nation’s most popular speech platforms for its more than 170 million domestic monthly users—on the eve of a presidential inauguration.”
The move stems from legislation signed by President Joe Biden last year. The law mandates the removal of TikTok from U.S. app stores and blocks internet providers from granting access to the platform unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells TikTok to an American firm by the stated deadline. The legislation was driven by national security concerns regarding China’s potential use of TikTok for surveillance.
In response, TikTok has filed an emergency motion to block the ban, arguing it infringes on First Amendment rights and would cause “substantial losses.” The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on January 10 to determine the law’s fate.
Meanwhile, potential buyers have emerged, including entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary. On January 6, O’Leary took to X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that purchasing TikTok’s U.S. assets is about more than just ownership. “It’s about safeguarding the privacy of 170 million American users, empowering creators and small businesses, and building a platform that values people over algorithms,” he wrote.
O’Leary noted that collaboration with President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, will be crucial. Speaking on Fox News, he explained, “Trump will be instrumental in closing this deal in the months ahead. We’re ready to work with his administration to ensure this transition benefits creators, businesses, and users alike.
