In the US, the situation surrounding the popular social network TikTok continues to escalate. Due to security concerns, the government has announced a TikTok ban, which could take effect on January 19, 2025. The law will force the Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell the app’s US branch – a solution that is currently not in sight. At the same time, competitors, investors, and alternative platforms are preparing for the consequences.
TikTok ban: What the law provides
In April 2024, the U.S. Congress passed the job function email list Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act . This law requires TikTok to separate from ByteDance by January 19, 2025. Otherwise, the app will be removed from U.S. app stores, and access to the necessary infrastructure will be blocked.
The US government justifies the ban with national security risks. There are fears that ByteDance will share user data with the Chinese government or influence political content. ByteDance denies these allegations, citing technological and legal hurdles to a spin-off.
Impact on TikTok users
With around 170 million active users, TikTok is widely used in the US. If the ban goes into effect, existing users could continue to use the app, but without updates or security improvements. This could have a long-term impact on the platform’s functionality and security.
Some users are already preparing by switching to alternative platforms like Lemon8 or using VPNs to circumvent the ban. ByteDance has also taken steps to facilitate the transition from TikTok to Lemon8. Users can transfer their accounts and followers, which has catapulted Lemon8 to second place in the Apple App Store download charts.
Political pressure and legal hurdles
On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Supreme e-commerce pricing models: a pricing manager’s guide Court will consider whether the law violates the Constitution. ByteDance argues that the ban restricts free speech. Nevertheless, it is considered likely that the court will uphold the ban, as it has done in the lower courts.
Donald Trump , who will be re-sworn in as president on January 20, 2025, has signaled his intention to resolve the ban politically after his inauguration. He himself had sought a TikTok ban during his first term, but now appears more willing to compromise.
Investors plan takeover
US investors such as Kevin O’Leary and Frank canada cell numbers McCourt have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US branch. McCourt aims to transform TikTok into a secure, user-centric platform and offer investors a stake. However, it remains unclear whether ByteDance is considering a sale.
Another problem: ByteDance has announced that it will not sell the key algorithm that largely determines TikTok’s success. This could significantly reduce the attractiveness of a US TikTok.