After years of failed attempts to ban video app TikTok because of its Chinese ownership, Congress passed a law in April requiring the company to shut down or sell to an American owner. TikTok fought back, saying a sale is impossible and a ban would infringe on users’ First Amendment right to free speech.
This legal battle is ongoing as the Jan. 19 deadline for a sale approaches and, ironically, both major-party presidential candidates are amassing large followings on TikTok. Here’s what might happen to the app and what you can do today to protect your data and content.