TikTok, the wildly popular short-form video app, is facing a critical juncture in the United States. With a user base of 170 million Americans, the potential nationwide ban could reshape the social media landscape and impact millions of content creators.
The Background
TikTok is the international version of Douyin, a popular short video app in the Chinese mainland developed by ByteDance. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Zhang Yiming, ByteDance leveraged an advanced recommendation algorithm to tailor content to user preferences.
Launched globally in 2017, TikTok swiftly rose to prominence, becoming the second most downloaded app worldwide in 2019, according to SensorTower data. However, this surge in popularity coincided with increased scrutiny from U.S. authorities. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Defense advised all military personnel to delete TikTok from their devices due to security concerns.
The Trump administration took significant steps in 2020 to restrict TikTok, citing data collection risks and potential ties to the Chinese government. These efforts encountered legal obstacles, delaying their implementation.
Under President Biden, the approach shifted slightly. The administration postponed the legal cases from the Trump era, effectively pausing the ban. Nevertheless, companies like Meta continued to highlight TikTok as a potential threat to children.
In spring 2024, Congress enacted the \"Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,\" granting President Biden the authority to ban apps deemed national security threats. Biden signed this bill into law, setting a crucial deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations.
TikTok responded by filing a lawsuit against the U.S. government, arguing that the ban is unconstitutional and infringes on the First Amendment rights of both the company and its users. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on January 10, 2025, but has yet to issue a decision.
What Happens Now?
If the Supreme Court upholds the ban and the U.S. government proceeds without delay, TikTok will be banned in the U.S. by January 19, 2025. This means TikTok will be removed from the App Store, and existing installations may lose functionality, preventing users from watching or uploading videos.
In response, some users might turn to VPNs to bypass restrictions and continue accessing TikTok content. Others may migrate to alternative platforms like RedNote, a Chinese social media app gaining popularity in the U.S. after a surge in new registrations. However, TikTok creators, especially those whose livelihoods depend on their TikTok presence, may need to rebuild their followings on new platforms.
TikTok employees in the U.S. are reportedly secure in their jobs, as ByteDance has stated there are no immediate plans to exit the U.S. market. Additionally, the U.S. government could postpone the ban, especially with Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, and there are indications that he is considering measures to preserve TikTok. The Supreme Court may also overturn the ban in the days leading up to its enforcement.
The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications not only for TikTok and its users but also for broader discussions about data security, international trade, and the role of social media in society.
Reference(s):
TikTok's future: A timeline and analysis of the potential ban impact
cgtn.com
