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 the most popular of these options is about to expire. With over 170 million users in America, TikTok is one of the main sources of entertainment for countless US citizens of all ages. The app began as a source of short, bite-sized videos but has since grown into a major competitor for similar sites like YouTube, offering longer videos alongside the shorter format and spurring YouTube to offer its own “YouTube Shorts” to compete with TikTok.
TikTok is set to go dark this weekend, just one day before the presidential inauguration. This follows a bipartisan congressional ban which was voted on in 2023, which 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 that the ball is now in the Trump administration’s court.
“Our position on this has been clear: TikTok should continue to operate under American ownership. Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement,” read the statement.
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 assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans,” the Chinese company stated. “Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19.”
This means that we are in the last hours of TikTok’s life, barring some 11th hour reversal. It’s unclear the exact time on Sunday that the ban will go into effect. TikTok users still have a few options left to them, however:
- There are other apps that many TikTok users have fled to in the past few weeks as the ban has loomed larger. These are often Chinese apps like RedNote, which makes this entire ban seem somewhat pointless. If the US government is worried about national security risks, it should ban all these Chinese video apps, not just TikTok. Of course, US TikTok users can also move 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 is going to happen Sunday, or whether the app will be removed from Google Play or the Apple App Store immediately. It’s possible that without “clarity” Google and Apple will wait to see what Trump does after he’s sworn into office. After all, Trump—despite his calls for tariffs—has urged the Supreme Court to delay the TikTok ban, and TikTok CEO Shou Chew will be seated on the dais during the Trump inauguration, signaling strong support from the incoming administration.
- Download a VPN. These “Virtual Private Networks” allow you to change your location on your device, making it appear as if you’re in some other country where TikTok is still permitted. It’s a bit of a hassle, but not much. There are plenty of 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 proved to be remarkably addictive time-sucks. With TikTok going dark Sunday, 170 million American users have a brand new opportunity to kick the habit and go pick up a new hobby, get outside, go for a walk, learn how to bake, watch a classic movie, or really do all kinds of new things that hours of TikTok consumption have prevented.
Whatever happens, TikTok is set to go dark Sunday, January 19th, one day before Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the presidential inauguration. What do you make of the ban? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.
