Is the US banning TikTok? Here are the answers to your key questions

In a recent development, a measure to ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok has won congressional approval and is on its way to President Biden for his signature. The measure gives the Chinese-owned app’s parent company, ByteDance, nine months to sell the company, with a possible additional three months if a sale is in progress. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok will be banned.

For the millions of TikTok users in the United States, the ban may not take effect for at least a year, with potential court challenges further delaying the process. While TikTok may not disappear from users’ phones immediately, it will be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores, preventing new downloads and updates. This could render the app unusable over time and pose a security risk.

Despite the potential ban, tech-savvy users may find workarounds to continue using TikTok, such as using VPNs or alternative app stores. However, migrating to other platforms like Instagram’s Reels or YouTube may be a more viable option for many users. Popular creators are likely to transition to these platforms as well, ensuring that users can still access similar content.

Dean Ball, a research fellow at the Mercatus Center, highlighted the reliance of the TikTok ban on Apple and Google’s control over their app stores. This mechanism may face challenges in a regulatory landscape that advocates for stricter regulations against tech giants.

As the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, users are advised to stay informed about the potential ban and explore alternative platforms for their video-sharing needs.