The TikTok ban bill, which has been under discussion for several years, has finally gained congressional approval and President Biden’s signature. The new law requires ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok, to divest its US subsidiary within nine months unless an extension is granted. If a sale is in progress, an additional three months may be allotted.
The ban stems from concerns raised by lawmakers and officials regarding the potential access to user data by Chinese authorities. Chinese national security laws obligate companies like ByteDance to cooperate with intelligence gathering, which has raised red flags for the US government. ByteDance has denied these allegations and maintains that it does not share US user data. However, concerns persist about alternative methods for the Chinese government to obtain information about Americans.
The potential impact of the ban on TikTok users is significant. While the app is unlikely to disappear from existing users’ phones immediately, it will be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores. This means that users will not be able to download updates, security patches, or bug fixes, rendering the app unusable over time. Some tech-savvy individuals may attempt to circumvent the ban using VPNs, alternative app stores, or foreign SIM cards, but this is not a viable solution for most users. Many are expected to migrate to other platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube, which offer similar content.
The ban also raises questions about the future of American content creators who rely on TikTok for their livelihoods. While they will not lose immediate access to the platform, the looming threat of a US ban will likely force them to diversify their content distribution strategy. Creators are increasingly focusing on platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, which offer lower monetization rates for short-form content compared to long-form content. TikTok’s lasting impact may be the erosion of long-form monetization on platforms like YouTube.
Data privacy experts caution that the Chinese government could still obtain information on Americans through other means, such as commercial data brokers. The ban on TikTok is part of a broader crackdown on Chinese companies in the US, including restrictions on investment in certain sectors and increased scrutiny of Chinese students and researchers. The move highlights the growing tensions between the US and China over technology, data privacy, and national security.
