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TikTok Ban : What’s Happening

Writer's picture: CodeMasters MarketingCodeMasters Marketing

Updated: 2 hours ago

tiktok app

Updated: January 20, 2025


Summary of Key Dates:

  • Monday January 20, 2025: Trump’s executive order officially postponed the ban for 75 days, with ongoing discussions for a joint venture. TikTok’s CEO and other notable figures attended Trump’s inauguration.

  • Sunday, January 19, 2025: Official deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets or face an indefinite shutdown under the federal law.

  • Saturday, January 18, 2025: TikTok goes offline in the U.S. at 10:45 p.m. ET, disappearing from Apple and Google app stores just hours before the federal ban takes effect.

  • Tuesday, January 16, 2025: President Biden announces he will not enforce the ban, leaving the decision to the incoming Trump administration.

  • Sunday, January 14, 2025: Deadline passes for a resolution on TikTok’s future in the U.S., intensifying uncertainty.

  • Saturday, January 13, 2025: Creators and businesses brace for the potential ban, with rival platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts seeing a surge in activity.

  • Friday, January 12, 2025: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew defends the platform publicly but fails to ease bipartisan concerns about national security.

  • Wednesday, January 10, 2025: Lawmakers fast-track the RESTRICT Act to address security risks posed by foreign-owned tech platforms.

  • Monday, January 8, 2025: The Biden administration issues an ultimatum to ByteDance, demanding divestment of TikTok ownership to resolve national security concerns.




Want to get the most out of TikTok? Check out our guides on how to block someone on TikTok, discover tips for becoming a micro-influencer, or if you’re curious about earning on TikTok, don’t miss our article on how Canadians can make money on TikTok.


Latest Update:

TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Halts Ban for 75 Days After CEO Attends Inauguration

January 20, 2025, 8:24 PM EST. President Donald Trump ordered the federal government to delay enforcing the law banning TikTok nationwide for 75 days. This decision provides ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based owner, additional time to sell a stake in the platform or form a joint venture with at least 50% U.S. ownership.


Key Developments:

  • January 19, 2025: TikTok went offline for U.S. users for over 12 hours. By afternoon, it began restoring service, displaying messages such as "Welcome back!" after Trump pledged to act.

  • January 20, 2025: During his inauguration, Trump confirmed his intentions to negotiate a solution that ensures TikTok remains in the U.S. under a joint venture model. Chew, TikTok’s CEO, attended the inauguration alongside prominent figures like Apple’s Tim Cook.

  • Legal and Political Reactions: While Trump’s decision to delay the ban received mixed reactions, it was supported by statements suggesting a focus on national security and potential economic gains through U.S. ownership of TikTok.


Understanding the TikTok Shutdown

TikTok, the wildly popular short-form video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is on the brink of facing a nationwide ban in the United States. As of January 2025, the Biden administration and lawmakers are intensifying efforts to address national security concerns linked to the app, with a decision expected to take effect as early as Sunday, January 14. Here’s the latest on what’s happening, why this is a critical moment, and how it might affect Canada.


Early Developments

On Monday, January 8, 2025, the Biden administration issued an ultimatum to ByteDance: divest its ownership of TikTok or face a complete ban in the US. This demand comes after years of escalating concerns over the platform’s data privacy practices and its potential ties to the Chinese government. The administration cited fears that TikTok’s parent company could be compelled to share user data under China’s National Intelligence Law.


By Wednesday, January 10, lawmakers began fast-tracking the RESTRICT Act, a bipartisan bill that would grant the Commerce Department authority to ban foreign-owned apps deemed a national security threat. The bill has gained significant momentum in both chambers of Congress, with many lawmakers emphasizing the urgency of addressing what they see as a “digital Trojan horse.”



Late Developments

On Friday, January 12, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew made a last-ditch effort to reassure US regulators. He highlighted “Project Texas,” an initiative to store all US user data within the United States through a partnership with Oracle. However, these measures have done little to assuage bipartisan concerns. Prominent senators have called these efforts “too little, too late,” maintaining that TikTok’s ownership remains the core issue.


As of Saturday, January 13, creators and influencers are bracing for the worst. Many are migrating their content to alternative platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. TikTok has over 150 million monthly active users in the US, making the ban a potential cultural and economic upheaval. Influencers who rely on the platform for income are scrambling to diversify their revenue streams, while businesses using TikTok for advertising are revising their marketing strategies.



TikTok's Future in the U.S. Remains Uncertain

As of January 16, 2025, the situation surrounding TikTok's potential ban in the United States has become increasingly complex. President Biden has decided not to enforce the impending ban, leaving the decision to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.


 The ban, set to take effect on January 19, 2025, requires ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. assets or face a shutdown. President-elect Trump has indicated a willingness to delay the ban's implementation, potentially through executive action, to allow more time for a resolution.


In response to the looming ban, a significant number of TikTok users in the U.S. have begun migrating to alternative platforms. Notably, over half a million users have flocked to Xiaohongshu, known as RedNote in the U.S., a Chinese app similar to TikTok. This movement has been dubbed the "TikTok refugee crisis," highlighting the app's cultural impact and the uncertainty faced by its user base.


The Supreme Court is also involved, having agreed to hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the ban under the First Amendment. Oral arguments were held on January 10, 2025, with a decision expected soon. The outcome will significantly influence TikTok's operations and its 170 million American users.


As the January 19 deadline approaches, all eyes are on the incoming administration and the Supreme Court to determine the fate of TikTok in the United States.


Why Is TikTok Ban Happening?

The US government’s concerns about TikTok stem from fears that the Chinese government could exploit the app to collect data on American users or spread propaganda. These fears have been exacerbated by past reports of ByteDance employees improperly accessing user data, including tracking the locations of journalists. Lawmakers view the platform as a potential national security risk, citing its vast data collection capabilities and the influence of its recommendation algorithms.


China’s National Intelligence Law, which compels companies to cooperate with intelligence agencies, has only heightened these concerns. While TikTok has denied allegations of data-sharing with Beijing, its efforts to reassure US regulators have largely fallen on deaf ears.



Implications for Canada

While Canada has not announced any plans to ban TikTok outright, the US’s actions could influence Canadian policy. In 2023, Canada banned TikTok from government-issued devices, citing similar security concerns. If the US ban proceeds, it could set a precedent for Canada to consider broader restrictions.


Canadian creators and businesses would also face indirect consequences. Cross-border collaborations with US-based influencers and brands could dwindle, while Canadian advertisers might hesitate to invest in TikTok campaigns amid growing uncertainty. The ban could also lead to increased scrutiny of other foreign-owned apps operating in Canada.


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