With a potential ban on TikTok looming, some creators are scared about what the future holds, while others are embracing a new trend that humorously addresses the reason behind the ban: national security concerns.

The current TikTok trend, believed to possibly be the last for American users, involves creators bidding “goodbye” to their “Chinese spies.” This reflects fears among U.S. officials that TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, is disclosing American user information to the Chinese government.

President Joe Biden enacted a law last spring necessitating ByteDance, located in Beijing, to divest its ownership of TikTok by Sunday, January 19. If they do not comply, TikTok will be prohibited in the U.S., making it illegal for U.S. internet providers and app stores to host the app.

Here’s how TikTok users are joining in on the trend.

TikTok Users Engage in Possibly Final Trend Before Ban

In one of the most-watched videos associated with this trend, TikTok user yanxiao1003 takes on the role of a spy, humorously informing viewers that it has been “a great honor to spy on you for the last few years.” He jokes about companies accessing user data and the insights they gain.

“Now it’s personal. Laura from California, cut back on the Coca-Cola; it isn’t good for you,” yanxiao1003 advises in the video. “And Peter from New York, your (mom) loves you. Don’t treat her poorly, okay?”

By Wednesday afternoon, the video by yanxiao1003 had received over 20.8 million views.

Another TikToker, jennabrigid, shared an emotional video set to Gracie Abrams’ song, “I Love You, I’m Sorry.” In the caption, she expresses sadness about the trend with a note reading “When I see a sad, ‘saying goodbye to my Chinese spy on TikTok’ video on my fyp (For You Page), I’ll miss you too.” This video garnered over 290,000 views by Wednesday afternoon.

TikTok’s For You Page recommends videos based on users’ interests, making it a distinctive part of the platform’s algorithm.

Many videos in this trend feature famous movie scenes where characters part ways. For instance, TikTok user eliologies shared a clip from the 2017 romantic drama “Call Me by Your Name,” showing the emotional farewell between characters Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer) at the train station.

This video displayed the caption, “What it will feel like saying goodbye to my Chinese spy on January 18 at 11:59 p.m.”

Another TikTok user, bebo02783, depicted Master Oogway’s farewell to Master Shifu in “Kung Fu Panda,” along with the caption, “Final goodbye with my Chinese spy. He gave me a perfect fyp.” This video had over 14,000 views as of Wednesday.

Some creators have even designed custom t-shirts that proclaim, “I (heart) my Chinese spy.”

What Lies Ahead for TikTok?

If ByteDance does not sell TikTok by Sunday, the app will no longer be available in the U.S.

While American users who have already downloaded the app will still be able to use it, they will no longer receive software updates, which could render the app unusable over time.

Several individuals, including Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX fame and YouTuber MrBeast, have shown interest in acquiring the platform.

Last week, a group known as Project Liberty, represented by Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary, allegedly made a bid to buy TikTok’s U.S. assets from ByteDance. Project Liberty’s President Tomicah Tillemann confirmed that they are not disclosing the bid amount publicly.

Former President Donald Trump had previously advocated for a TikTok ban but recently requested that the U.S. Supreme Court suspend the ban to allow him to “save” the platform for American users.

Last Friday, SCOTUS heard arguments from TikTok, which contends that the ban infringes on Americans’ First Amendment rights. As of Wednesday afternoon, no decision had been announced by the Supreme Court.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at YSL News. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross.