The proposed ban on TikTok, a popular video-sharing app, has been approved by Congress and is awaiting President Biden’s signature. The ban, if implemented, would give TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, nine months to sell its U.S. subsidiary, with a possible additional three months if a sale is in progress. If a sale is not completed within the allotted time, TikTok will be banned in the United States.
The ban would not immediately remove TikTok from users’ phones, but it would prevent the app from being downloaded from app stores, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play. TikTok would also be unable to send updates, security patches, and bug fixes, raising concerns about the app’s functionality and security over time.
Despite the potential ban, TikTok is unlikely to disappear entirely from the social media landscape. Users may find ways to circumvent the ban, such as using VPNs or alternative app stores. Additionally, popular TikTok creators are likely to maintain their presence on other platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, which have incorporated vertical short videos to compete with TikTok.
The ban on TikTok has implications for the future of social media. It highlights the growing scrutiny of large tech companies and the potential for government regulation. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of bans in the age of digital technology, where users have access to a wide range of platforms and can easily find alternative ways to connect and share content.
