TikTok announced late Friday that its platform would “go dark” for its 170 million U.S. users starting Sunday due to a federal ban, amid concerns that its Chinese ownership may threaten U.S. national security.https://svtoday.org/

In a statement posted on its website and X, the company explained that “unfortunately, TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19” unless the Biden administration assures Apple, Google, and other tech companies that they won’t face penalties for providing TikTok services in the U.S.

This statement marks TikTok’s latest effort to push the administration for a delay in enforcing a law that, as upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, would effectively block its services beginning Sunday.

The law prohibits app stores and major cloud service providers from offering TikTok to U.S. users unless the company is sold by its Chinese parent, ByteDance, to a non-Chinese owner.

TikTok did not specify the exact consequences for Sunday, including whether it would shut down voluntarily or simply cease functioning due to losing access to essential services.

The announcement follows signals from the Biden administration that federal officials will not immediately act against companies like Apple and Google under the law. Lisa Monaco, the deputy attorney general, stated after the Supreme Court ruling that the process would unfold “over time.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned that enforcement of the law would fall to the incoming Trump administration, which begins on Monday.

TikTok, however, expressed that those comments were insufficient to reassure other companies that they wouldn’t be penalized for continuing to distribute and support the app. Companies could face fines of up to $5,000 for each U.S. user who accesses TikTok after the ban.

“The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to service providers essential to keeping TikTok accessible to over 170 million Americans,” the company said.