WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: Attendees hold signs in support of TikTok outside the US Capitol … [+]
When it comes to entertainment these days, we have an abundance of options. From streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu, to online video apps like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
But one of these most popular options is about to expire. With over 170 million users in America, TikTok is one of the main sources of entertainment for countless Americans of all ages. The app started out as a source of short videos, but has since grown into a major competitor for sites like YouTube, offering longer videos alongside the shorter format and prompting YouTube to offer its YouTube Shorts for compete with TikTok.
TikTok will go dark this weekend, just one day before the presidential inauguration. It follows a bipartisan congressional ban passed in 2023 that passed the House 360-58. National security concerns were cited as the main reason behind the ban. A Biden official issued a statement effectively saying the ball is now in the Trump administration’s court.
“Our position on this has been clear: TikTok must continue to operate under American ownership. Given the timing of it taking effect during a holiday weekend the day before the inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement it,” the statement said.
On Friday, when efforts to delay the ban or sell the app to a US buyer failed, TikTok posted its own statement:
“The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and certainty to service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans,” the Chinese company said. . “If the Biden administration does not immediately issue a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers by ensuring non-implementation, TikTok will unfortunately be forced to go dark on January 19.”
This means we’re in the final hours of TikTok’s life, barring an 11th hour change. It is unclear the exact time on Sunday when the ban will take effect. TikTok users still have a few options left for them, however:
- There are other apps that many TikTok users have fled to in the past few weeks as the ban became more severe. These are often Chinese apps like RedNote, which makes this whole ban seem kind of pointless. If the US government is concerned about national security risks, it should ban all of these Chinese video apps, not just TikTok. Of course, US TikTok users can also switch to YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels or Clapper.
- Wait and see. With TikTok going dark over the weekend — on a holiday weekend, no less — it’s unclear what exactly will happen on Sunday, or whether the app will be immediately removed from Google Play or the Apple App Store. It is possible that without “clarity” Google and Apple will wait to see what Trump will do after he is sworn into office. After all, Trump — despite his calls for tariffs — has asked the Supreme Court to delay the ban on TikTok, and TikTok CEO Shou Chew will sit on the floor during Trump’s inauguration, signaling strong support from the administration. next.
- Download a VPN. These “Virtual Private Networks” allow you to change your location on your device, making it look like you’re in some other country where TikTok is still allowed. It’s a bit of a hassle, but not too much. There are many free and paid options.
- Use this as an opportunity to break a habit. We all have habits, some worse than others, but social media and video apps have proven to be extremely time consuming. With TikTok on Dark Sunday, 170 million US users have a whole new opportunity to kick the habit and pick up a new hobby, go outside, go for a walk, learn how to bake, watch a classic film or really do all kinds. of new things that have prevented hours of TikTok consumption.
Whatever happens, TikTok will go dark on Sunday, January 19, the day before Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the presidential inauguration. What do you think about the ban? Let me know TwitterInstagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Subscribe to my newsletter for more reviews and comments on entertainment and culture.
