• TikTok is set to potentially shut down in the U.S. if it fails to secure a buyer before the upcoming ban.
• President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating an executive order to delay enforcement of the ban for 60-90 days.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is advocating for a deadline extension to allow TikTok more time to find a U.S. buyer.
• The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the legality of the ban, which hinges on national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership.
• If implemented, the ban will prevent new TikTok downloads and updates, affecting 170 million American users.

TikTok, the widely popular video-sharing platform with around 170 million American users, is bracing for a potential shutdown as a federal ban looms. Scheduled to take effect on January 19, this ban, prompted by national security fears over its Chinese parent company ByteDance, could be paused if incoming President Donald Trump intervenes.

Reports suggest Trump is considering issuing an executive order that could suspend the enforcement of this ban for 60 to 90 days, buying time for negotiations to find an American buyer for TikTok’s U.S. operations. NBC News indicated Trump’s administration is eager to keep TikTok operational to protect the livelihoods of influencers who rely on the platform.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has voiced support for extending the deadline imposed by a law requiring TikTok’s divestiture, stating, “We want TikTok to keep going,” but are concerned about its ownership allowing Chinese government access to data.

The ban, enacted by bipartisan legislation, would bar U.S. app stores from distributing TikTok if no sale occurs. Although users with the app will still have access, they would not receive updates or support, effectively crippling the platform over time. As TikTok prepares to cease operations from its U.S. servers on Sunday, it aims to create pressure on lawmakers through the potential shutdown. This anticipated action is outlined in reports from credible sources such as Business Insider, indicating that TikTok aims to direct users to a website detailing the ban's implications.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the legality of TikTok’s ban and whether the federal government’s concerns about data security are justified. Should the court uphold the law, TikTok may be forced into a swift divestiture or face its ban.

Trump’s chief national security adviser, Mike Waltz, envisions a proactive approach stating, “We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” which aligns with Schumer's intentions to work with the Trump administration and bipartisan efforts to safeguard TikTok while addressing national security concerns.

As this situation unfolds, time is of the essence, and users, influencers, and lawmakers alike await a resolution that balances national security with the operational viability of TikTok in the U.S. For ongoing updates on this developing story, please refer to original articles from The Guardian, The Hill, and NBC News.