It’s bad news for TikTok users in the U.S.—the app’s parent company ByteDance is gearing up to shut off access to the social media platform nationwide “immediately” on Sunday, Jan. 19, when a federal ban is set to take effect, The Information reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Unless the Supreme Court blocks the federal ban, users will be unable to open the app on Sunday and instead will be redirected to a website with information about the shutdown. Users will also be able to download their personal data, The Information reported.
Congress passed a bill last year stating that ByteDance must sell TikTok by Jan. 19 or comply with a nationwide ban. The looming closure has led some TikTokers to look for alternative apps. Many have already moved to the Chinese app Xiaohongshu, or Red Note, where censorship rules have allegedly led to scores being banned. Read more at The Information.