TikTok Faces Looming Ban in the US: What’s Next for Users and the Platform?
TikTok is set to be banned in the United States on January 19 unless the Supreme Court intervenes to halt the move. The platform’s parent company, ByteDance, has argued that such a ban would be unconstitutional, but if the court sides with Congress and the lower courts, the popular app could disappear from American devices.
How the Ban Would Work
If the ban proceeds, the US government is expected to order tech giants like Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores. This would prevent new downloads and updates, leaving existing users with a version of the app that would eventually become outdated and vulnerable to security risks.
While current users could technically continue using TikTok, the lack of updates would degrade the app’s performance and security over time. Hackers could exploit unpatched vulnerabilities, further discouraging use.
Workarounds for Determined Users
Despite the ban, tech-savvy users could bypass restrictions. Virtual private networks (VPNs) allow users to mask their location, accessing the app as if they were in a different country. Additionally, users can switch their app store region or sideload the app, though such methods may violate terms of service or local laws and carry security risks.
However, the US government is prepared to go further if necessary. Officials could block internet hosting services from providing access to TikTok, following a strategy used by India during its 2020 TikTok ban. ByteDance might also enforce the ban by preventing users from accessing the app within the US.
The Fragmentation of the Internet
Experts warn that banning TikTok could have broader implications. Milton L. Mueller, a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, cautions that such actions may legitimize the fragmentation of the internet along national lines.
“This would set a precedent for restricting access to digital platforms based on geopolitical tensions, further dividing the global internet,” Mueller said.
Trump’s Potential Influence
President-elect Donald Trump, who has voiced opposition to the ban, has asked the Supreme Court to delay its implementation while he seeks a “political solution.” However, even if the court upholds the ban, Trump could instruct the Department of Justice not to enforce it. This would effectively render the law inactive, though tech firms might hesitate to defy legal mandates without explicit immunity.
Winners and Losers in the Tech Space
TikTok boasts 170 million US users who, on average, spent nearly an hour daily on the app in 2024. If the ban goes into effect, its competitors are poised to benefit.
Meta’s Instagram Reels and Google’s YouTube Shorts are well-positioned to capture displaced users, creators, and advertisers. “Chief Marketing Officers have indicated they will shift ad dollars to Meta and Google, similar to what happened in India after TikTok was banned,” said Kelsey Chickering, principal analyst at Forrester.
Twitch, a livestreaming platform, could also see growth as it diversifies beyond gaming content. However, TikTok’s unique features, such as TikTok Shop, present a challenge for rivals to replicate.
The Possibility of a Sale
While ByteDance has previously refused to sell TikTok’s US operations, a ban could force a change in strategy. Reports have suggested potential buyers, including billionaire Elon Musk, though TikTok has dismissed these claims as “pure fiction.”
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and businessman Frank McCourt have expressed interest in acquiring the platform. McCourt reportedly secured $20 billion in verbal commitments from investors to back a bid. Even YouTube megastar MrBeast has hinted at interest, leveraging his massive TikTok following to save the app.
Uncertain Future
As the January 19 deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok remains unclear. Whether through legal action, executive intervention, or an eventual sale, the coming weeks will determine whether the app’s 170 million US users lose access to one of the most popular social platforms in the world.