Congress has notified Apple and Google to prepare for TikTok's removal from U.S. app stores on January 19, following a federal appeals court decision upholding legislation requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations or face a ban.

Representatives John Moolenaar (Republican) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat) urged TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to sell the platform, emphasizing Congress's commitment to defending national security and protecting American users from the Chinese Communist Party.

Key Points:

• The Department of Justice clarified that existing users can continue using TikTok, but app store restrictions will eventually make the application unworkable
• ByteDance and TikTok filed an emergency request to temporarily block the law pending Supreme Court review
• TikTok warns the ban will affect half of the country that doesn't already have the app and make the platform "totally unusable" in the U.S.
• Senator Josh Hawley emphasizes ByteDance's Chinese oversight as the main concern
• Former President Trump, who previously supported a ban, has changed his position, stating he would prevent a TikTok ban

ByteDance faces a critical decision: either sell TikTok's U.S. operations or risk losing access to one of its largest markets. The January 19 deadline marks a significant turning point in the ongoing debate over TikTok's future in the United States.

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