The clock is formally ticking for TikTok. 

What as soon as appeared far-fetched now feels extra actual than ever. After a protracted, contentious battle—with TikTok arguing {that a} ban can be unconstitutional and violate free speech rights, and lawmakers citing issues over knowledge privateness and overseas affect—the app not too long ago lost its legal efforts within the D.C. Circuit of the U.S. Court docket of Appeals. 

Sitting now with the Supreme Court docket, there’s little indication that the justices will overturn the present laws through the upcoming January 10 listening to. Whereas some are nonetheless holding out hope that president-elect Donald Trump will save the app (regardless of supporting the measure 4 years in the past), the ban is about to go into effect on the eve of his inauguration—along with his potential to intervene nonetheless unclear. 

If the Supreme Court docket upholds the present laws, TikTok shall be banned within the U.S. on January 19, 2025. That leaves simply 11 extra days to say goodbye to the app. 

As we speak, TikTok is loved by over 170 million Americans, a lot of whose communities and livelihoods are intertwined in its digital playground. And whereas many would really feel the repercussions of a ban, few would possibly really feel the loss as deeply because the BookTok community.


Sameer Singh, who joined ByteDance in 2019, has been a central figure in TikTok’s North American ad business growth.

A book-selling powerhouse 

Over the previous few years, BookTok has made fairly a mark on the literary world. With over 71.7 billion views on the #BookTok hashtag (for comparability, #dance, a subject that many equate to TikTok’s recognition, has 449 billion views), BookTok has impressed many, particularly Gen Z consumers, to find a ardour for studying. Its affect is so profound that ByteDance, TikTok’s mother or father firm, not too long ago launched its personal publishing arm, eighth Be aware Press, to leverage its personal attain and virality.