TikTok users in the U.S. were hit with shocking news this Wednesday. Chinese-owned ByteDance plans to shut down the app for 170 million U.S. users by Sunday, January 19. This news has left many feeling disappointed, confused, and angry. For months, TikTok fans and creators hoped the app could avoid a U.S. ban. Now, with the deadline fast approaching, it’s clear that TikTok is waving the white flag.
Frustration and resignation
One TikTok creator, Joonsuk Shin, 28, a research manager from New York, expressed his frustration: “It’s very discouraging and sad.” Many users share his sentiment. TikTok had been under intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers since 2023, who raised concerns about national security risks. They worry that China could force ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data. TikTok, however, has repeatedly denied this claim.
The fight against the ban
Since the law passed in 2023, TikTok has fought back. ByteDance pushed to delay the law’s enforcement, citing First Amendment rights. But with Sunday fast approaching, it seems the battle may be lost. If the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t intervene, TikTok users will see a pop-up on Sunday, directing them to a website about the shutdown.
User outrage: calls for action
Amber Goode, 28, a true crime content creator from Colorado, vented her frustration: “Why are they playing with us?” she said. “I feel like the government knows what’s going to happen but is avoiding giving us an answer.”
As the clock ticks down, many TikTok users are scrambling. Some are calling for action, urging others to delete their Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) accounts. These platforms, owned by Meta and Elon Musk, stand to gain TikTok’s lost advertisers. “We all need to delete our Facebook, X, and Instagram accounts on January 19,” said one frustrated user.
Preparing for the worst
Others are already preparing for the worst. Many have fled to China-based RedNote, a social media app, using translation services to navigate the site’s Mandarin instructions. Some users even jokingly shared how they picked up Chinese phrases in just a day: “How did everyone learn Chinese in 24 hours?” they wondered.
Emotional impact of the shutdown
For some, it’s more than just losing access to an app. “My daughter passed away in 2023. I’ve been saving all her videos to my phone. I can’t lose those,” one TikTok user said, showing the emotional side of the shutdown.
Others are already bidding farewell to their followers. Many creators are sharing where fans can find them next. Some are turning to alternative apps, like RedNote, as they prepare for a future without TikTok. “Say goodbye to the Americans,” said Luke Hopewell, a content creator from New Zealand, celebrating the end of TikTok’s American dominance.
TikTok’s resigned stance
As for TikTok itself, it seems resigned to its fate. Despite efforts to delay the shutdown, the company’s decision to signal defeat has only added to the frustration. Some users are furious, saying ByteDance should have fought harder, while others express gratitude for not waiting for a court decision.
“I thought we were making progress,” said Ishpal Sidhu, 32, a full-time creator who will lose around 400,000 followers and her income on Sunday. “I’m wondering if I’ll still be paid for my content in January.“
A last-minute hope?
Meanwhile, there are talks of a possible last-minute move by President-elect Donald Trump. The Washington Post reported that Trump may issue an executive order to try and “save TikTok,” though it remains unclear whether such an order would bypass the ban.
For now, TikTok users are left hanging, waiting for a resolution that might never come. With the clock ticking down, many are already bracing for the loss of a platform that has become central to their online lives. The fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the app’s impact on its millions of American users will be felt long after January 19.
