While TikTok might seem like nothing more than a breeding ground for viral dances, impossibly niche jokes, and beauty trends, in the US, the app is facing a potential ban. Whispers of potential restrictions on the app have been circulating for months now but, if your FYP is anything like ours, you might have noticed the conversation has taken a rather serious turn in recent weeks.
So what does it all mean? Everything you need to know about a potential ban of TikTok in the US, below.
Why does America want to ban TikTok?
It's all got to do with the app's parent company, Chinese-owned ByteDance. Back in April, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that requires ByteDance to sell the social media app’s US operations or face a ban. The forced sale is based on fears that the Chinese government could enlist ByteDance to hand over data from TikTok's 170 million US users.
It's not the first time the US government have attempted to rid TikTok from American phones. Previously, they've tried to block the app based on national security grounds, however this failed. Donald Trump also attempted to ban the app in 2020 when he was in office.
When would the TikTok ban come into effect?
The legislation that passed in April gave ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok to a new buyer. This would mean TikTok is either forced to sell or shut down in the US by 19 January 2025.
TikTok has attempted to argue this ruling in federal court, however the U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld the federal government’s law requiring the app to divest from Chinese parent company ByteDance.
The platform has said it will now take this fight to the Supreme Court, the US's highest legal authority.
"The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," a TikTok spokesperson said.
Donald Trump's incoming presidential term could also halt the ban, with Trump saying back in November that he would not let a ban take effect.
How would a TikTok ban work?
While the exact mechanisms are unclear for those who currently have the app installed, the ban would likely remove TikTok from all app stores, to prevent new users from downloading it.
Could Australia follow suit?
There is potential for a US TikTok ban to inspire other countries to follow suit.
The Australian government is yet to take a firm stance, however in March 2024, the Coalition called for Australia to follow the US, and instate a ban over Chinese interference concerns.
Currently, TikTok is banned in India (as of June 2020), and is blocked in Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan and Somalia. In the UK and Europe, government and parliamentary workers are banned from using TikTok on their work devices.
Feature image: Pinterest
