TikTok says it will be ‘forced to go dark’ unless it gets ‘definitive’ statement from White House

TikTok, the popular social media app known for its short-form videos, has been embroiled in controversy in recent months as the Trump administration has raised concerns about the app’s ties to the Chinese government. Now, TikTok is warning that it may be “forced to go dark” unless it receives a “definitive” statement from the White House regarding its future in the United States.

The app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has faced mounting pressure from the Trump administration over fears that the Chinese government could use TikTok to spy on American users or spread disinformation. In response, President Trump signed an executive order in August that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States unless it is sold to an American company.

Since then, TikTok has been in talks with several potential buyers, including Microsoft and Oracle, in an effort to secure a deal that would allow it to continue operating in the U.S. However, negotiations have been complicated by conflicting statements from the Trump administration, with some officials indicating that a deal could be reached while others have suggested that TikTok may still be banned.

In a statement released on Saturday, TikTok said that it had been in “good faith negotiations” with the U.S. government for nearly a year, but that it had yet to receive a clear indication of whether its proposed deal would be approved. Without a definitive statement from the White House, TikTok warned that it may be “forced to go dark” in the United States.

The potential shutdown of TikTok would be a major blow to the app’s millions of American users, who have flocked to the platform for its viral videos and creative content. TikTok has also become an important platform for influencers, businesses, and advertisers looking to reach a younger audience.

In response to TikTok’s statement, a White House official told reporters that the administration is “committed to protecting the American people from all cyber threats” and will continue to review the proposed deal with TikTok. However, the lack of a clear timeline for a decision has left TikTok and its users in limbo.

As the deadline for a deal approaches, TikTok’s future in the United States remains uncertain. The app’s warning that it may be “forced to go dark” is a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the ongoing negotiations between TikTok and the Trump administration. Only time will tell whether a deal can be reached that will allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S., or if the app will indeed be banned, leaving millions of American users without their beloved platform.