“Keep TikTok and ban Snapchat instead”—Internet reacts as TikTok enacts ban as Trump considers 90-day extension 

With TikTok’s U.S. shutdown looming, the platform has warned of an imminent blackout on January 19 due to a lack of clarity from the Biden Administration and the Department of Justice.

However, in an interview with NBC News, President-elect Donald Trump said that he was evaluating the possibility of providing a 90-day extension, which could enable TikTok to continue operating past Sunday.

Amidst all the pandemonium, users on social media have been flooding platforms like X and Instagram to voice their opinions. Many have rallied in defense of TikTok, calling for alternatives like Snapchat to be banned instead. Let's take a look at some of these humorous takes and passionate appeals. One X user wrote:

"keep tiktok and ban snapchat instead,"

Others had similar thoughts. One user wrote:

"Keep TikTok and take away Snapchat instead."

"Take Snapchat or OF or even IG, but please don't take tiktok away from us," shared another user.

"THEY COULDVE TAKEN SNAPCHAT BUT TIKTOK ????," questioned another user.

"..it should’ve been snapchat," expressed a user.

Some users stepped in to defend Snapchat. One wrote:

"No way Americans would rather have Tiktok than Snapchat??"

"It's hilarious that people still don't want to use Snapchat," noted a user.

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Why is TikTok potentially being banned in the U.S.?

Due to worries about data privacy and national security, TikTok may be banned in the US. The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, had come under scrutiny from lawmakers and government officials who feared that sensitive data collected from U.S. users could be accessed by the Chinese government, either through direct interference or under China's data security laws.

TikTok has consistently denied allegations of improper data handling and insists that it operates independently of the Chinese government. The company has taken steps to reassure U.S. officials.

In a statement on X, TikTok said about the possible shutdown:

"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 the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok's availability to over 170 million Americans."

TikTok then said that it will be forced to go dark on January 19.

"Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19."

TikTok is not the first app to face scrutiny in the U.S. for its ties to foreign entities. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure that platforms operating in the U.S. adhere to data security standards that protect American interests.

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As of now, TikTok has until January 19, today, to comply with the divestment order or face a potential shutdown. However, some lawmakers have suggested delaying enforcement to allow the platform more time to find a U.S. buyer. The outcome remains uncertain, leaving millions of American users in limbo.