Clock counts down on TikTok ban in Washington

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Biden's TikTok ban comes down to the wire

Will Donald Trump save TikTok from Joe Biden?

He's probably going to try.

The worries over TikTok's impending shutdown have now reached a full-fledged panic among the site's user base.

But at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump sees an opportunity to play the hero for millions of Americans who use the app daily — and to do so by spurning his onetime rival, Joe Biden.

Legislation passed by Congress and signed by Biden aimed at forcing the sale of TikTok will take effect on Sunday. Upon becoming law, the legislation will prevent app stores from allowing users to download TikTok unless owner ByteDance sells it.

TikTok's executives are getting ahead of the impending restriction. They plan to take the app down for all U.S. users — preventing any usage at all — beginning on Sunday.

The intent is to enrage the app's massive US fanbase, and exert further political pressure on Washington. Some of those 170 million users were seeking alternative apps this week ahead of the ban, pushing competitor RedNote up the app store rankings.

President-elect Trump is set to take office at noon on Monday. He's signaled an interest in reversing or changing the terms of the ban.

Whether he'll succeed is another matter.

Read more here. 

By John Bowden

Reading list

Daily briefing

AOC says she's disappointed in dozens of Democrats who helped Nancy Mace's immigration bill pass House

"Overwhelmingly women who are being abused and battered are going to be targeted by this," the congresswoman tells The Independent's Eric Garcia on Thursday.

Don't forget to complete your registration

We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience.

By registering, you'll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, including:

Unlock these benefits by completing your registration today. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Democracy died in darkness?

Baseball writer Jarrett Seidler reacts to the news that the Washington Post is changing its slogan as Donald Trump enters the White House a second time.

What else you need to know

The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Join the conversation or follow us

Download the free Independent app

Please do not reply directly to this email

You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Inside Washington newsletter.

To unsubscribe from The Independent's Inside Washington newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.

This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345

Read our privacy policy and cookie policy