The controversy surrounding the US ban on TikTok: What you need to know | World News

The TikTok bill, which has recently won congressional approval and is on its way to President Biden for his signature, has sparked concerns among TikTok users and parents alike. The measure gives ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok, 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 in the United States.

But what does this mean for the millions of TikTok users in the country? While the ban won’t immediately remove the app from users’ phones, it will prevent new downloads and updates from Apple and Google’s app stores. This could eventually render the app unusable and pose security risks for those who continue to use it.

However, tech-savvy users may find workarounds to continue using TikTok, such as using VPNs or alternative app stores. Additionally, popular creators may migrate to other platforms like Instagram and YouTube, which offer similar features to TikTok.

The TikTok bill’s effectiveness relies heavily on the control that Apple and Google maintain over their smartphone platforms. Dean Ball, a research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, explains that the bill directs these tech giants to stop allowing the TikTok app on their app stores. This raises questions about the efficacy of such measures in the face of growing calls for antitrust regulations against big tech companies.

As the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, users and stakeholders are left wondering about the potential implications of the ban and how it may reshape the social media landscape.