MOSCOW, Jan 15 — Chinese social network TikTok is preparing to shut down its app for users in the United States (US) on January 19, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti, citing The Information news portal on Wednesday.
The shutdown is reportedly related to the ban on the app in the US, which will take effect on Sunday.
In April last year, US President Joe Biden signed a law forcing TikTok owner ByteDance to find an American owner for the app. If this does not happen by January 19, 2025, the app will be banned in the US.
However, US President-elect Donald Trump has appealed to the US Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the ban until his inauguration on Jan 20, according to a document obtained by Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
TikTok, launched in 2018, remains under scrutiny by US authorities, who fear the app may be sharing user data with the Chinese government, or spreading propaganda.
It has consistently denied the allegations. The app has about 170 million users in the US alone.
— Bernama
