One of the most popular social media apps in the country will disappear from U.S. app stores this weekend.
And TikTok says it’s ready to pull the plug after the Supreme Court upheld the law banning the app unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its U.S. operations.
Here’s what to know, including why the ban is happening and what’s at stake before the Sunday deadline.
Why did they ban TikTok?
Congress passed a law last year forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. Lawmakers argued that ByteDance’s ties to China pose a national security risk if user data is shared with the Chinese government.
After months of legal challenges, the Supreme Court ruled Friday that the law is constitutional, rejecting ByteDance’s argument that the ban violates free speech rights. The decision clears the way for the ban to take effect on Sunday unless TikTok is sold before then.
ByteDance has said it will start shutting down TikTok’s U.S. operations if the deadline isn’t extended.
What happens to TikTok on Sunday?
If no last-minute deal is reached, TikTok could be removed from U.S. app stores, meaning no new downloads or updates. The app’s 170 million American users would still have access, but ByteDance has warned that it may shut down services completely.
A sale could still save TikTok, and there are several interested buyers. But so far, no deal has been reached.
Can TikTok be saved?
President-elect Donald Trump, who once pushed for a TikTok ban, has asked the Supreme Court to delay enforcement until his administration can negotiate a solution.
He takes office on Jan. 20, one day after the ban is set to begin.
ByteDance also owns other apps like Lemon8 and CapCut. They’re not immediately affected but could face similar scrutiny.
For now, TikTok’s fate depends on whether ByteDance sells the app before Sunday — or if the next administration steps in to stop the ban.
