Congress has directed 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.

Key Points:

• Representatives John Moolenaar (R) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) urged TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to sell the platform
• ByteDance has filed an emergency request to temporarily block the law pending Supreme Court review
• The Department of Justice clarified that existing users can continue using TikTok, but app store restrictions will eventually make it "unworkable"

Impact:

• TikTok warns the app will disappear from stores on January 19 without court intervention
• Half of the country not currently using TikTok will lose access
• Ending support services will severely impact platform functionality in the U.S.

Political Context:

• Republican Senator Josh Hawley emphasizes ByteDance's Chinese oversight as the main concern
• President-elect Donald Trump has shifted his stance, now opposing a TikTok ban due to concerns about strengthening Meta's platforms
• Congress maintains its position on protecting national security and American users from potential Chinese Communist Party influence

The situation remains fluid as ByteDance seeks legal remedies while facing increasing pressure from U.S. lawmakers to divest TikTok's American operations.

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