TikTok assures its U.S. employees they will retain their jobs and benefits even if the Supreme Court upholds a law that could ban the video-sharing platform starting January 19.

In a message to staff obtained by The New York Times, TikTok’s Global Head of Human Resources Nicky Raghavan explains that the legislation targets the platform’s U.S. user experience rather than the entities employing its workforce.

“Your employment, pay and benefits are secure, and our offices will remain open, even if this situation hasn’t been resolved before the Jan. 19 deadline,” Raghavan wrote in the message sent to an internal “U.S. Team News” channel with more than 13,000 employees.

This marks a shift from TikTok’s earlier position, which focused on confidence in its legal challenge. The new approach acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the platform’s future while emphasizing its commitment to U.S. operations.

Behind the Scenes at TikTok

Raghavan praised employees for their “resilience and dedication” during this challenging period, emphasizing that the leadership team is “laser-focused on planning for various scenarios.” While TikTok previously reported having over 7,000 U.S. employees, the message reached more than 13,000 staff members, suggesting recent growth in its workforce.

Internal response to the legal challenges has reportedly been mixed, according to former employees who spoke to The Times in November 2024. Some executives have approached the situation with levity, suggesting in one all-hands meeting that the events might inspire a Hollywood film.

Supreme Court and Political Developments

The legislation in question would penalize app stores and internet hosting services for distributing or updating the TikTok app unless its U.S. operations are sold to a non-Chinese owner. While effectively banning the platform, the law would not require closure of TikTok’s U.S. offices.

The Supreme Court appears inclined to uphold the law passed in April, despite requests from President-elect Donald Trump and lawmakers to extend the January 19 deadline. Trump, who takes office the day after the deadline, has expressed interest in pursuing a “political resolution” to the issue after his inauguration.

“We know you have a lot of questions and wish we could provide a clear road map of next steps,” Raghavan acknowledges in the message, adding, “We know it’s unsettling to not know exactly what happens next.”