The short answer, maybe. Here's the thing... There have been many efforts to ban TikTok in the United States since President Trump was in office. We've all seen the trials that flooded the internet of the U.S. questioning Zhang Yiming's, Owner of ByteDance, aka TikTok and it threw everyone into quite a frenzy.
Well, the newest update states that President Biden on Wednesday signed a law that would ban Chinese-owned TikTok unless it is sold within a year.
However, there are a few contingencies in place. Essentially, ByteDance has nine months to sell TikTok to a U.S. entity. If within those nine months, there is a sale in progress, they will get another three months to formally complete the sale. Realistically, it could be up to a year before we start to see any change happen or any rules enforced.
There are two outcomes here. One, ByteDance doesn't sell TikTok to a U.S. entity which results in TikTok being banned in the U.S. The second outcome, ByteDance sells to a U.S. entity and the app takes on a different persona based on whomever purchases the app in the U.S.
The question we're all asking, is WHY? Why does the U.S. want to ban TikTok? Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over the data on the 170 Million Americans who use TikTok. Chinese National Security laws compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering which includes ByteDance… Lawmakers and other admin officials have also expressed that China has the potential to influence ByteDance to suppress or boost TikTok content that favors Chinese government ideations, here in the U.S.
So what does this mean for all of those TikTok influencers and content creators who have built huge success and made all of their income within the app?
It's either going to be really good... or REALLY bad. While we still have a slew of other social media platforms to fall back on, many influencers are stating that it's a 50/50 outcome.
The good? There's a chance a new app will pop up that follows the same kind of format as TikTok and focuses primarily on video content, FYP, TikTok Shop, and similar algorithms. This gives content creators an even playing field and allows for everyone to start fresh. Much like TikTok in the beginning, more creators had the opportunity to see success than any other app. If a new app gains traction, the same case could occur for a new generation of creators.
Additionally, with TikTok going away, more users will naturally start using other media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter). If that's the case, there are more eyes to view the current users which has the potential to offer BIG SUCCESS to those who have already built a bit of a following on those apps. More people on the apps means more eyes on products/services, more sales, more engagement, more community, etc.
The Bad? It's quite obvious right? Those influencers and content creators who build their business solely on TikTok have a 50/50 shot of losing everything. Their community, their income, their creative outlet... It feels devastating especially if they put all of their eggs in one basket... TikTok.
Additionally, the current TikTok influencers could and SHOULD start directing their followers to other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) as a safety precaution. This way, they can begin to utilize other platforms in the case that TikTok goes away forever in the U.S.
What are your thoughts on TikTok getting banned?
For more information, here are a few credible sources: