Credit: Adobe Stock
What Will Happen To Your TikTok Account After App’s ‘Immediate Shutdown’
Users have been left wondering what will happen to their TikTok accounts as the platform faces an ‘immediate shutdown’ in the U.S. this weekend.
America is approaching a pivotal moment as TikTok faces a potential nationwide ban.
It comes as government officials have raised concerns to the Supreme Court regarding the app.
Back in April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law requiring TikTok’s owners to sell the platform by January 19, 2025, following allegations of ties to the Chinese government, according to BBC reports.
Concerns over the streaming platform’s potential threat to national security have been central to the debate.
Officials allege data of 170 million U.S. users could be accessed or sold to Chinese authorities, labeling the app ‘a national-security threat of immense depth and scale.’
The New York Times states that these fears prompted Congress to pass a law mandating TikTok’s shutdown in the U.S. unless sold to a government-approved buyer by January 19.
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, strongly deny any affiliation with the Chinese government.
They have warned that banning the app could have a ‘staggering’ impact on free speech in the country.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump – set to assume office the day after the ban’s enforcement – is advocating for a delay so a ‘political’ resolution can be explored.
If the ban goes ahead, Americans who haven’t downloaded TikTok before January 19 will lose access to the app, reports CBS News.
The fate of users who already have the app installed remains uncertain.
However, BBC predicts that updates will no longer be available, making the app increasingly glitchy and eventually unusable.
Qi Liao, a professor of computer and network security at Central Michigan University, says: “If you already have TikTok on your phone, you can still use it, but over time you will not receive any updates, so the app will become obsolete.”
Timothy Edgar, a cybersecurity professor at Brown University, suggests users attempting to access TikTok after the ban may encounter a notice stating: “This service is not available in your country.”
“This is what we’ve seen in other countries that have banned certain platforms,” Edgar tells CBS. “This generation could face a stark reality if they find that a major platform they rely on is suddenly inaccessible.”
Edgar also notes that TikTok’s inability to introduce new features or security updates would lead to a degraded experience for U.S. users, ultimately causing the platform to lose its audience.
Unless the Supreme Court blocks the ban, TikTok will shut down immediately, The Information reports.
Users attempting to open the app may see a pop-up message redirecting them to a webpage explaining the ban.
Experts predict that if TikTok is banned, users may turn to alternatives like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, according to Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at Insider Intelligence.
Another app gaining traction among U.S. users is RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu (translated as ‘little red book’).
Founded in 2013, the app boasts over 300 million monthly active users, per Bloomberg.
Although RedNote is gaining popularity, it isn’t a TikTok replica. Users describe it as a blend of Instagram and Pinterest, offering a unique space for creators and viewers.
Related Article: TikTok Bans Dangerous New ‘Legging Legs’ Trend That Gen Z Is Obsessed With
Related Article: TikTok Is No Longer The Most Popular Social Media Website
Want more stuff like this?
Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox!
