TikTok plans to shut down its app for U.S. users on Sunday, when a federal ban could take effect, according to a report from The Information on Tuesday.
This shutdown would occur unless the Supreme Court intervenes to block the ban.
If implemented, the shutdown would differ from the law’s mandate, which only calls for a ban on new TikTok downloads from Apple or Google app stores, while allowing existing users to continue using the app for a period of time.
According to the report, under TikTok’s plan, users attempting to open the app will see a pop-up message directing them to a website containing information about the ban. The report cites sources familiar with the matter.
TikTok also plans to offer users the option to download all their data, allowing them to take a record of their personal information with them, according to the report.
TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
In April of last year, President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
The companies have sought, at the very least, a delay in the implementation of the law, arguing that it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against government infringement on free speech.
In a court filing last month, TikTok estimated that one-third of the 170 million Americans using its app would stop accessing the platform if the ban were to last for a month.
