What happens if TikTok is banned?

What Happens If TikTok Is Banned in the US?

TikTok faces a looming ban in the United States, with the Supreme Court set to decide the app’s fate by 19 January. The Chinese-owned platform, popular among 170 million US users, has been deemed a national security risk by lawmakers. But what will happen if TikTok is banned, and can users still access it?

From potential workarounds to alternative platforms, here’s what you need to know.

Can Americans Still Use TikTok After a Ban?

The most likely form of the ban would involve removing TikTok from app stores, such as Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

• For Existing Users: Those who already have the app installed can keep using it, but they will stop receiving updates, making the app increasingly buggy and insecure over time.
• For New Users: TikTok will no longer be available for download, leaving no legitimate way for new users to access it.

Workarounds:

1. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): By masking their location, users could access TikTok from regions where the app remains available.
2. Changing App Store Regions: Users might switch their device’s app store region to download TikTok.
3. Third-Party Downloads: Modifying devices to sideload TikTok could bypass restrictions, but this carries legal and security risks.

The US government is also proposing to ban internet hosting services from facilitating access to TikTok, making it even harder to use.

Could TikTok Be Completely Blocked?

A stricter ban, similar to India’s 2020 TikTok ban, could involve blocking TikTok entirely at the network level through internet service providers.

Even with VPNs, TikTok could implement its own measures to identify US users and block access. For example, the app could display a message saying, “TikTok is not available in your country.”

Trump’s Role in the TikTok Ban

President-elect Donald Trump has voiced opposition to the TikTok ban, calling for a “political solution” to the issue.

While Trump cannot overturn the law once passed, he could instruct the Department of Justice to not enforce it, effectively making the ban redundant.

However, this approach could leave tech companies like Apple and Google hesitant to break the law, even with assurances from the administration.

What Platforms Could Replace TikTok?

A TikTok ban could create major opportunities for rival platforms.

1. Instagram Reels (owned by Meta) and YouTube Shorts (owned by Google): These platforms are the most natural alternatives for TikTok’s displaced users, creators, and advertisers.
2. Twitch: Known for live streaming, Twitch could attract TikTok’s live content creators.
3. Xiaohongshu (RedNote): This Chinese-owned app has already gained popularity among US users but could face similar scrutiny as TikTok.
4. Lemon8: Also owned by ByteDance, Lemon8 is likely to be banned under the same law.

The Challenge for Competitors:
TikTok offers unique features like TikTok Shop, which allows users to purchase products directly from videos. Currently, no other platform offers a direct competitor to this feature.

Could ByteDance Sell TikTok?

Although ByteDance has resisted selling TikTok’s US operations, the threat of a ban could force a last-minute sale.

• Potential Buyers:
  • Billionaire Elon Musk has been rumored as a potential buyer, though TikTok has dismissed this as “pure fiction.”
  • Former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and businessman Frank McCourt have also expressed interest.

Even YouTube celebrity MrBeast joked about entering the race, claiming he had billionaires reaching out to him about a deal.

The Bigger Picture: Internet Fragmentation

Experts warn that a TikTok ban could legitimize internet fragmentation, where platforms are blocked or restricted based on national boundaries.

Professor Milton L. Mueller from the Georgia Institute of Technology noted that a ban would set a dangerous precedent, signaling the rise of a more divided internet.

External Link: BBC

Internal Link: Kenkou Land