TikTok faces shutdown unless sold to American buyer by September 17

On July 24, 2025, in the United States, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated during an appearance on CNBC that TikTok is required to be sold to a buyer approved by the U.S. government by September 17, 2025. If this sale does not take place, the app, which has about 100 million American users, will be forced to shut down due to national security concerns regarding data access and content influence by the Chinese government. The ownership of TikTok rests with the Chinese company ByteDance, and questions have arisen about the possibility of Chinese interests retaining some control after a sale. The statement from Lutnick emphasizes the risks posed by foreign control of apps that collect user data, highlighting the U.S. government's efforts to mitigate potential threats to national security. A bill titled the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was passed by Congress with bipartisan support earlier in the year, and President Biden signed it into law. This legislation is aimed at countering foreign influence and ownership of technology that plays a significant role in American daily life. Another layer of complexity is introduced by the requirement for the Chinese government to approve any deal with a non-Chinese buyer. The potential for this approval poses additional challenges; if the Chinese government refuses to allow the sale, TikTok risks being banned in the U.S. or forced to shut down. This situation is rooted in previous tensions under the Trump administration when there were intentions to require sales of apps like TikTok to prevent foreign control. As the September 17 deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether TikTok can navigate these complex geopolitical waters to avoid being shut down in the United States. The outcome of negotiations and the response from the Chinese government will be critical in determining the future of the app and its millions of American users.