Key Takeaways:
* The law passed by US Congress may force ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the platform or shut it down by this coming Sunday.
* The US Supreme Court is set to make a ruling regarding TikTok’s challenge to this law this week.
* If banned, TikTok could be removed from app stores, affecting new downloads but not current users.
* Possible workarounds include the use of VPNs or updates from non-US servers.
* Alternative social media platforms could benefit from a TikTok ban.
* Potential buyers for TikTok are surfacing, particularly a group led by former owner of Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt.
The Countdown Begins for TikTok
Popular video-sharing app TikTok is on the edge of a cliff in the United States. Congress passed a law demanding TikTok’s Chinese owners, ByteDance, to either sell the app or declare lights out by this Sunday.
Supreme Court’s Ruling Awaited
The US Supreme Court is anticipated to deliver a judgment on TikTok’s challenge against this law sometime this week. The popular opinion following last Friday’s hearing is that the law will likely survive.
The Implications of an App Store Ban
Should the ban take effect, the US government could instruct tech giants Google and Apple to erase TikTok from their app stores. This would mean new downloads might become impossible from as early as Sunday. The good news? Existing users can still keep their TikTok on their phones unless the app itself bars their access.
Tussling with Workarounds
If banned, the general expectation is that US TikTok users might cease receiving important software and security updates. This could lead to slower app performance and make the app more susceptible to cyber threats. A possible workaround could involve users masking their locations using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Users routing through countries where TikTok remains operational will still have access.
Defiance and the Power of Choice
When Donald Trump takes over the presidency, the responsibility of the law’s enforcement falls on his Attorney General. Depending on their choice, they could either enforce it, delay it or defy it altogether, despite the majority legislative support.
Possible Alternatives
Should the ban be enforced, it is expected that TikTok users would migrate to alternative platforms. Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, similar to TikTok, could see a significant boost. Elon Musk’s platform X, seeking to incorporate TikTok-like video content and shopping features, could also gain from the ban.
Last-minute Rescue from Investors?
Several potential buyers have shown an interest, with one stand-out being a group including Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. If successful, this could essentially breathe new life into TikTok’s U.S presence. Still, for now, everything hangs in the balance as TikTok’s fate lies with the Supreme Court.
In essence, the future of TikTok in the United States seems uncertain, but all eyes are on the awaiting judgment from the Supreme Court. While users and industry watchers speculate on possible outcomes, the final decision will impact not just TikTok, but the larger social media landscape.