TikTok has pledged to secure the employment and benefits of its US workforce even if a law forcing its sale or banning it in the US takes effect. The platform, owned by China-based ByteDance, employs 7,000 people in the US.
In an internal memo, the company assured employees that their jobs and compensation would remain stable, and offices would stay operational regardless of the 19 January deadline. This reassurance comes as the US Supreme Court appears likely to uphold the law passed in April, despite calls for an extension from president-elect Donald Trump and other lawmakers.
If the law is enforced, TikTok downloads from Apple and Google app stores will be banned. However, existing users will temporarily retain access to the app. Over time, services are expected to degrade and eventually cease as companies providing support to TikTok are prohibited from doing so.
TikTok’s leadership has emphasised its commitment to navigating the legal challenges while protecting both its employees and the platform’s 170 million US users. The company clarified that the bill primarily impacts the user experience and does not affect the entities employing TikTok’s workforce.
The platform is trying to strike a critical balance between legal pressures and its operations. Despite the looming uncertainty, TikTok’s message to its employees highlights its focus on maintaining stability and safeguarding their well-being in the weeks ahead.
