Fans of video-sharing app TikTok could be left looking for a new platform after Congress voted for a potential ban of the app in the U.S. on Saturday.
Lawmakers in both state and federal governments are pushing to get rid of the platform for national security reasons, but what does that mean for users?
Why Might TikTok Be Banned and When?
TikTok is owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, which is considered a potential national security risk to the United States.
ByteDance has consistently emphasized that it is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government, but as a company based in Beijing it is subject to laws that could compel it to share user data from TikTok with the Chinese government.
There are also wider concerns that TikTok's algorithm could be used by ByteDance or China to manipulate American public opinion and push pro-China narratives, especially on sensitive issues like Taiwan or the Israel-Palestine conflict.
On April 23, the Senate voted to pass a bill that will either ban TikTok in the U.S. or force ByteDance to divest its stake. The bill will now go to President Joe Biden, who previously said that he would support the legislation.
The latest version of the bill gives TikTok 270 days to sell to another company, with provisions for additional 90-day extensions if "significant progress" is being made to sell TikTok. Until then TikTok will still be available to U.S. users as normal.
TikTok's head of public policy for the Americas, Michael Beckerman, said that the company would fight the legislation in court, while the 270 days means that TikTok has until after the November presidential election.
What Will Happen to U.S.-Based Accounts If TikTok Is Banned?
If TikTok is banned in the U.S., users would lose access to the app and be unable to upload new content.
When TikTok was banned in India in 2020, users were prevented from accessing content, but the ban did not call for the deletion of data and profiles that were already on TikTok.
While the specifics are unclear, a similar system may allow U.S. users to preserve content and even provide potential migration to other platforms.
Can I Download My Videos From TikTok?
Before TikTok becomes inaccessible to users it is likely there would be some warning.
It is possible to download your content directly from TikTok and back it up easily. Downloading videos on TikTok can be done by going to the video, tapping the three-dots icon and tapping "save video".
TikTok has not announced any specific plans for data downloads, but many users regularly back up their content as a precaution anyway.
What Would a TikTok Ban Mean for Businesses?
According to an economic impact report released by TikTok, 55 million people in the US have made purchases on the platform. It also reported that it generated $14.7 billion for small and medium businesses (SMEs) in 2023, and a further $24.2 billion in total economic activity.
TikTok has become a huge marketing tool for businesses of all sizes, providing a key way to reach Gen Z consumers. Without the platform, businesses will need to find a new way to reach audiences not often found via marketing on other social platforms or traditional advertising.
"It will definitely affect businesses that rely on TikTok to acquire new customers and/or promote their products and services through TikTok," Denish Shah, a marketing professor at Georgia State's Robinson College of Business, told Newsweek.
But Shah does believe there is hope for businesses using TikTok: "The good news is that there is enough time for firms to pivot to other platforms. At a more fundamental level, TikTok represents the popularity of short-form videos that consumers love to consume. The obvious platforms for businesses to migrate for short-form videos is Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts."
What Would a TikTok Ban Mean for Influencers?
For influencers who create content for TikTok, their future without the platform could be complicated.
According to Goldman Sachs, creator economy as a whole is estimated to be a $250 billion industry in 2022, expected to grow to $480 billion by 2027.
Many influencers have protested against a potential ban, arguing that it would leave them struggling to engage with audiences in the same way.
Losing the platform would mean many influencers would be forced to pivot to other platforms where they may have to grow new followings or alter their content to suit a different audience.
Have Any Other Countries Banned TikTok?
Yes, TikTok has faced bans in several other nations over similar national security concerns.
India banned TikTok and numerous other Chinese-owned apps in 2020, resulting in a surge in downloads for alternative short-form video apps within the country. However, efforts to ban TikTok in other countries like the U.S. have encountered legal hurdles, and implementing and enforcing a nationwide ban is challenging.
What Are the Alternatives to TikTok?
In the event of a TikTok ban in the U.S., users are likely to seek out alternative short-form video platforms. Some prominent alternatives include:
- Triller: A music-focused video app that has attracted many TikTok stars.
- YouTube Shorts: YouTube's short-form video feature integrated into the main YouTube app.
- Reels on Instagram: Instagram's short-form video feature similar to TikTok.
- Likee: A global short-form video platform boasting over 150 million active users.
- Zigazoo: A kid-friendly short-form video app marketed as a "TikTok for families."
Are you a TikTok user with questions about a potential ban? Contact a.gibbs@newsweek.com and we will investigate.
Update 04/25/24, 8:15 a.m. ET: This article was updated with further information about the U.S. ban.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
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