TikTok Threatens to Shut Down App for Americans



TikTok is threatening to shut down its app for U.S. users this Sunday if a federal ban goes into effect. The social media platform has just four more days to sell its U.S. assets or be pulled from U.S. app stores due to concerns over the app’s links to the communist Chinese government. Under that ban, Americans would still be able to use the app, but new downloads would be blocked and its software would slowly degrade over time due to a lack of updates. However, TikTok insiders have said they are prepared to shut the entire app down to all 150 million American users in protest if the ban is upheld. Under the shutdown, people attempting 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 option to download all their data so they can keep a record of their personal information. If the ban gets reversed later, TikTok would be able to restore service for U.S. users in a relatively short time.