TikTok set to 'go dark' in US on Sunday as Supreme Court ban looms

The US Supreme court ruled that the US government had demonstrated legitimate national security concerns about a Chinese company owning social media platform TikTok.

TikTok says it will "go dark" for 170 million users in the US on Sunday after the Supreme Court upheld a law set to ban the app on national security grounds. Now all eyes are on whether incoming president Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday, will thwart the law's implementation.

TikTok says it will "go dark" in the United States on Sunday, threatening access to the app for 170 million users, unless the government provides assurances that a law mandating its sale or ban won't be used to punish service providers.

After months of legal tussles, the US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that would ban the popular video-sharing platform in the name of national security, unless its Chinese owners reach an 11th-hour deal to sell it to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday.

Only months after overwhelmingly backing the law, lawmakers and officials were now fretting about the ban, with all eyes on whether US President-elect Donald Trump can swoop in and find a way to save the app.

ADVERTISEMENT

From teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips, TikTok has been embraced for its ability to transform ordinary users into global celebrities when a video goes viral.

It is also appreciated by Trump, who has credited the app with connecting him to younger voters, contributing to his election victory in November.

Trump "truly understands our platform," he added.

(AFP)


Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban slated to start on Sunday
Trump says US and China to 'solve many problems' after phone call with Xi
‘Sheep for hire’: Trump, Musk and Zuckerberg’s dangerous plan for Europe