Congress has notified Apple and Google to prepare for TikTok's removal from U.S. app stores by January 19, following a federal appeals court decision upholding legislation requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban.

Key developments:

• Representatives John Moolenaar (R) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) urged TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to sell the platform immediately
• ByteDance and TikTok 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"
• TikTok warns the ban will affect half of the country that doesn't currently use the app and make the platform "totally unusable" in the U.S.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley emphasized that ByteDance's connection to Chinese oversight remains the primary concern, stating the law "leaves no wiggle room."

Despite former President Trump's recent statements opposing a TikTok ban—reversing his previous position due to concerns about empowering Meta platforms—the legislation continues to move forward.

The ban's implementation would immediately stop new downloads through U.S. app stores while gradually degrading service for existing users through lack of updates and support.

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