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TikTok's Tumultuous Journey in the United States: A Timeline of Events

Writer's picture: Henry AdamsHenry Adams


January 20, 2025

The social media landscape in the United States has been in flux due to recent developments surrounding TikTok, the popular short-form video app owned by Chinese company ByteDance. Concerns over national security and data privacy have led to significant legal and political actions affecting the platform's availability to American users.


April 2024: Legislative Actions

In April 2024, the U.S. Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations of TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. This legislation stemmed from fears that the Chinese government could access American users' data through the app.

Wikipedia


January 17, 2025: Supreme Court Ruling

On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, reinforcing the mandate for ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok operations or cease services in the country. This decision intensified the urgency for ByteDance to find a suitable buyer to comply with U.S. regulations.

Investopedia


January 18, 2025: TikTok Shutdown

As the divestiture deadline approached without a finalised deal, ByteDance preemptively shut down TikTok services in the U.S. on January 18, 2025. The app was removed from major app stores, and users were met with notifications about the service suspension, affecting approximately 170 million American users.

El País



January 19, 2025: Political Reversal and Service Restoration

In a surprising turn, President-elect Donald Trump, who had previously advocated for a TikTok ban during his first term, announced plans to issue an executive order delaying the ban to negotiate a security deal. He proposed a joint ownership model, with the U.S. holding a 50% stake in TikTok. Following this announcement, ByteDance began restoring TikTok services, and users gradually regained access to the app.

AP News


TikTok Influencer Livvy Dunne
TikTok Influencer Livvy Dunne

Impact on Influencers and Public Reaction

The temporary shutdown had immediate repercussions for content creators and influencers who rely on TikTok for their livelihoods. Notably, Livvy Dunne, a prominent TikTok personality with eight million followers, humorously acknowledged the situation by suggesting a switch to LinkedIn, highlighting concerns about income loss due to the platform's instability.

talkSPORT


Public figures and business leaders also reacted strongly. Elon Musk opposed the ban, viewing it as a violation of free speech, while Mark Cuban discussed its impact on social media dynamics. Influencers like Lizzo and Alix Earle expressed their dismay on other platforms, underscoring TikTok's significant role in contemporary digital culture.

Business Insider


Future Considerations

While TikTok's services have resumed in the U.S., the platform's future remains uncertain. The proposed joint ownership model aims to address national security concerns, but it raises questions about operational control and data governance. As negotiations proceed, stakeholders will need to balance security considerations with the interests of millions of American users and content creators who have integrated TikTok into their daily lives.

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