TikTok, the wildly popular short-form video app used by more than 170 million Americans, is facing a possible blackout across the United States. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned this week that unless China approves a pending deal to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, the app will be forced to shut down.
Lutnick made the statement in an interview on CNBC Thursday, reinforcing the Biden administration’s push for full American ownership and control of TikTok’s U.S. technology, including its powerful content algorithm. “If [China] doesn’t approve it, then TikTok is going to go dark,” Lutnick said bluntly. “Those decisions are coming very soon.”
A Standoff Over Technology and National Security
At the heart of the matter is ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, and the U.S. government’s growing concern over national security, data privacy, and foreign influence.
Although a 2024 law signed by President Trump required ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets or face a ban by January 19, the deadline has been extended multiple times, most recently to September 17, 2025.
The reason is a pending deal that would spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new, American-controlled company. Under the proposed terms, U.S. investors would hold majority ownership and assume control over the algorithm that powers TikTok’s highly addictive content feed.
But there’s a big catch: the deal requires approval from the Chinese government. And Beijing isn’t backing down. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce had previously hinted it would oppose any forced divestment involving export of proprietary technology, including recommendation algorithms, which China classifies as restricted tech.
Politics and Legal Grey Areas
Adding to the uncertainty are ongoing legal and political battles. Although President Trump has repeatedly delayed enforcement of the divest-or-ban order, some Democratic lawmakers argue he lacks the authority to do so under the current law. They also question whether the proposed deal would satisfy the requirements laid out in the 2024 legislation.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent formal letters to Apple, Google, and other digital service providers, essentially absolving them from liability for continuing to host TikTok. The Justice Department appears reluctant to enforce a sudden shutdown that could impact millions of American users and disrupt global digital markets.
The Future of TikTok in the U.S.
If China greenlights the deal, TikTok could continue operating in the U.S. under new American control, a major shift in the global tech landscape. If China refuses, the Biden administration may be forced to follow through with the shutdown, potentially making TikTok the highest-profile casualty in the ongoing U.S.-China tech standoff.
For now, TikTok’s future in America hangs in limbo, as global politics, cybersecurity fears, and digital freedom collide.
TikTok’s possible shutdown isn’t just about social media, it’s about who controls the future of technology, user data, and online influence. With 2025 shaping up to be a defining year in U.S.–China relations, TikTok could be the digital canary in the geopolitical coal mine.
Subscribe EkSukoon for breaking tech policy news, digital trends, and platform updates as the TikTok story unfolds.
Also Read: Travis Hunter’s Wife Leanna Lenee Breaks Silence in Tearful TikTok
Also Read: Coldplay Kiss Cam Outs Astronomer’s CEO Andy Byron Affair With HR Chief Kristin Cabot