The bill mandates ByteDance sell TikTok to a U.S.-approved buyer or face platform bans. The law targets national security risks, not individual users — but it forces app stores and ISPs to block access if ByteDance doesn’t comply.
If ByteDance hasn’t sold TikTok by then, Apple and Google will be legally required to remove it from their app stores in the U.S. Internet providers may also block access. No one will be forced to delete the app — but reinstalling or updating it may become impossible.
Yes, if the app is already installed. A VPN may allow continued access, but legality is a gray area. VPNs won’t help if TikTok has already been deleted from your device after the ban takes effect.
TikTok content won’t automatically disappear, but without updates or server access, the app could degrade over time. It’s smart to save your best videos and migrate followers to other platforms.
Lawmakers cite data privacy and Chinese government access through ByteDance. The concern is that TikTok could be used for surveillance or influence operations targeting U.S. citizens.