TikTok has solidified its status as a leading entertainment app, delivering a diverse range of content that spans comedic sketches, beauty tutorials, social insights, and news updates.
The platform is anticipated to disappear from U.S. app stores by Sunday unless an approved buyer emerges, following a unanimous ban by the Supreme Court.
This ruling unfolded amid heightened political activity from President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed his commitment to negotiating a resolution. However, it remains uncertain what options will be available for Trump once he is inaugurated as president on Monday. An official from the Biden administration mentioned recently that the outgoing government was leaving the enforcement of this law to the new administration.
With over 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok’s audience largely consists of teenagers and about one-third of American adults, according to the Pew Research Center. For dedicated users and creators who leverage the app for income, it’s essential to understand the implications of the ban and how to navigate it:
What is happening on January 19?
An attorney representing TikTok informed the Supreme Court justices last week that the app will “go dark” on January 19 if the law is not overturned.
The practical outcomes of this ruling are still unclear, but it effectively prohibits major app stores, including those operated by Apple and Google, from offering TikTok starting Sunday. Additionally, internet hosting services will no longer be permitted to host the app.
Current users who have the app downloaded on their devices should still have access, but prospective users won’t be able to access it from app stores. The ban would hinder TikTok from delivering updates, security fixes, and other improvements to users, leading to a decline in app quality and potential security vulnerabilities. Over time, this could render the app unusable.
In line with the app, David Choffnes, who is the executive director of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute at Northeastern University, noted that the TikTok website is expected to remain functional even after the ban takes effect.
While the law would prevent domestic internet hosting services from supporting the platform, Choffnes pointed out that TikTok could theoretically utilize servers located outside the U.S. This could result in slower content loading and diminished app performance, he emphasized.
Are there ways to access TikTok?
There are indeed workarounds available, but they require a degree of technical know-how and their effectiveness remains uncertain.
A commonly suggested method is through a VPN, or virtual private network, which allows users to mask their geographical location. By encrypting data traffic and routing it through specialized private tunnels to secure servers worldwide, a VPN keeps user data private.
Lauren Hendry Parsons, the director of communications and advocacy at ExpressVPN, asserts that users could access TikTok through a VPN while adjusting their phone’s settings to reach app stores in nearby countries.
If many users adopt this approach, tech companies like Apple and Google may face legal risks and may take action against the app. Conversely, they might avoid restrictions as they aim to build more cooperative relations with Trump, who is keen on “saving TikTok” and could instruct his Justice Department to refrain from enforcing the law entirely.
For TikTok users on Android devices, there is the potential to continue updating the app through alternative app stores — a process referred to as sideloading. Yet, circumventing the security measures that established app stores employ can increase the risk of malware, cautioned Gus Hurwitz, a telecommunications and technology expert at the University of Pennsylvania.
Will I still have access to my favorite videos?
TikTok enables users to save the videos or photos they have shared, as well as content from liked influencers. Any saved posts will be downloaded and stored on the user’s device.
Although many creators permit downloads, there may be limitations on specific content. Users cannot download clips from private accounts or those held by individuals under the age of 16.
Additionally, users can request a copy of their TikTok data, which includes comment history and video views. The company has indicated that compiling this information may take a few days.
Are users migrating to other platforms?
Should TikTok face a ban, other prominent social media platforms like Meta’s Instagram, Snapchat, and Google’s YouTube are poised to gain from the removal of a significant rival in the U.S. market.
In response to TikTok’s surging popularity, these platforms have created features similar to TikTok, such as Instagram’s Reels and YouTube’s Shorts. If TikTok is sidelined, it is likely that creators and small businesses on the app will transition more easily to these platforms, as they already possess substantial audiences and user bases that overlap with TikTok, as noted by Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at the market research firm Emarketer.
What is on the horizon?
The resolution of the TikTok situation is now in the hands of the incoming Trump administration, which has signaled its intention to explore options to “preserve” the widely-used app.
“We will implement measures to prevent TikTok from going dark,” stated Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice for national security adviser, during a Fox News interview. Waltz also pointed out that the law includes provisions for extending the ban as long as a feasible deal is in progress.
Trump, who is aware of TikTok’s widespread appeal and boasts 14.7 million followers on the platform, finds himself at odds with leading Senate Republicans who criticize TikTok’s Chinese ownership for not securing a deal sooner. In a Truth Social post prior to the court’s decision, Trump mentioned that TikTok was a topic in his recent dialogue with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
According to sources, TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to be present at the presidential inauguration alongside tech moguls such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos, as per individuals familiar with the arrangements.
