TikTok has established itself as a vital app for entertainment, offering a vast array of content that includes humorous sketches, beauty tutorials, social commentary, and news-related material.
However, the platform may be at risk of being removed from U.S. app stores by January 19 if the Supreme Court does not intervene to halt a federal law that compels TikTok to sever ties with its parent company based in China or confront a nationwide prohibition.
President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office on January 20, has recently requested the Supreme Court to pause the enforcement of this law in order to negotiate a “political resolution” related to the issue during his upcoming term.
If the Supreme Court agrees to his request, any potential ban on TikTok will be postponed even further. A decision from the Justices is anticipated soon.
Currently, TikTok boasts over 170 million users in the U.S., with a significant portion comprising teenagers and about a third of adults, according to data from the Pew Research Center.
For devoted users and content creators relying on the app for their income, it’s vital to understand the implications of the law’s enforcement:
What will happen on January 19?
Once the law comes into effect, hosting services will be prohibited from providing support for TikTok. Existing users will still have access to the app if it is already on their devices, but it will no longer be available for new downloads on platforms like Apple and Google.
This situation would also mean that TikTok would be unable to issue updates, security enhancements, and fix bugs, ultimately leading to a deterioration of app performance and potential security risks. Eventually, the app may become nonfunctional.
Are there any alternative methods to access TikTok?
There are a few potential workarounds that could require some technical knowledge, but their effectiveness may vary.
A widely mentioned solution is the use of a virtual private network (VPN), which allows users to disguise their location.
By encrypting user data and routing it through secure servers globally, a VPN can keep activity hidden from others.
Lauren Hendry Parsons, a director at ExpressVPN, suggests that users could still access their accounts by employing a VPN and making certain changes to their phone settings that permit them to access app stores from neighboring countries.
However, a mass migration to such methods may make tech companies like Apple or Google view the scenario as a legal risk, prompting them to restrict access further.
Alternatively, they may opt against this path, especially since they are keen on fostering a better relationship with Trump, who has expressed a desire to preserve TikTok.
U.S. users on Android devices might also consider sideloading updates through alternative app stores, though this method poses a risk of exposure to malware, as noted by Gus Hurwitz, a telecommunications and technology expert from the University of Pennsylvania.
Will I retain access to my favorite videos?
TikTok provides options for users to save videos or images they have shared, as well as content from preferred creators.
Any selections saved will be stored on the user’s device. While many creators permit downloads of their content, some may limit access to specific posts, and users cannot save media from private profiles or accounts belonging to users under 16.
For those interested, TikTok also allows users to request a copy of their activity data, which comprises viewing history and comments, although gathering this information may take a few days.
Which apps might attract users next?
With TikTok potentially out of the picture, established social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube are predicted to gain from the absence of one of their fiercest competitors.
The popularity of short-form content has prompted these platforms to develop their own similar features, such as Reels on Instagram and Shorts on YouTube.
If TikTok disappears, content creators may more readily transition to these platforms due to their sizable audiences and an overlap in user demographics, according to Jasmine Enberg from Emarketer.
Nonetheless, some experts argue that younger audiences may not necessarily gravitate towards platforms that cater more to older demographics. While Meta has a particularly engaging algorithm, it doesn’t replicate the unique experience TikTok offers, and YouTube remains recognized primarily for longer videos.
For those TikTok users seeking alternatives away from mainstream settings, lesser-known applications like Triller, which focuses on music, and Zigazoo, aimed at children, may pique interest. Additionally, Twitch, owned by Amazon and centered around live streaming, remains another option.
