It appears the curtain is truly closing on TikTok, at least in the U.S. Last week, Chinese owner ByteDance announced plans to shut off the app for its 170 million U.S. users by Sunday, Jan. 19. Many users are still holding out hope for a last-ditch effort to preserve the wildly popular social media app. But even if TikTok does disappear into the ether forever, at least we knew a world with Bob Dylan on the platform for just one shining moment.
Videos by American Songwriter
Bob Dylan Makes His TikTok Debut
You don’t enjoy a six-decade musical career without staying current. Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is one of the rare exceptions, as he has never had much of a social media presence. However, the 83-year-old “Blowin’ in the Wind” singer made his TikTok debut Tuesday (Jan. 14.)
A verified account using Dylan’s name posted a montage of clips from Dylan’s illustrious career, set to songs including “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and “Hurricane.”
[RELATED: How “A Complete Unknown” Dashed 2005 Bob Dylan’s Predictions of His Future Career]
“Explore the world of Bob Dylan, now on TikTok. #bobdylan,” the caption stated.
TikTok’s Days Are Likely Numbered
Bob Dylan’s new account surfaces amid TikTok’s announcement that it plans to cease operations in the United States on Jan. 19, barring a last-minute Hail Mary from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Signed into law in April 2024 by President Joe Biden, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act gives the government the authority to ban foreign-owned apps deemed a threat to national security.
The law requires ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to either sell the app to a U.S. company or shutter operations in the country by Jan. 19. However, the government could move back the deadline by 100 days if a sale is underway.
Justices declined to issue an opinion Wednesday (Jan. 15) on the federal law banning TikTok, leaving the platform’s fate in limbo just days before the ban is set to take hold.
Many comments on Bob Dylan’s first-ever post on the platform made tongue-in-cheek references to the superstar’s late arrival. “bob tiktok is knocking on heavens door,” one user wrote.
Another added, “Bro I fear the times they are a changin and you have 30 minutes (see you on rednote?)”
Featured image by Helle Arensbak/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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