TikTok, the popular social media app owned by China’s ByteDance, could be banned in the United States starting this Sunday unless a deal is struck for a sale to a US-based investor, or the US Supreme Court intervenes. The ban stems from a law signed by President Joe Biden in April, marking the first attempt by the United States to block an app with such a large user base—approximately 170 million American users.
How the Ban Will Be Enforced
The law targets a broad range of US-based partners that help bring TikTok to users, making typical workarounds, such as using a VPN or changing phone settings to bypass country restrictions, much more difficult or ineffective. Experts suggest that while users might still access a web version of TikTok with limited features, this may soon become impossible.
The law does not require users to delete
TikTok, but the app would gradually stop working. TikTok plans to shut down the service in the US and alert users about the law, offering them a chance to download their personal data. This means that TikTok app store providers, including Apple and Google, will not be allowed to distribute TikTok to users in the United States, thus not providing any further updates for the app to continue functioning well.
Impact on TikTok’s Functionality
TikTok’s seamless functioning depends on several service providers, such as content delivery networks and cloud services provided by Oracle. According to experts, under the law, Oracle would have to stop all operations related to TikTok, which would severely affect video delivery and content upload functionalities. This could significantly impair TikTok’s performance and availability, even for users outside the US, though TikTok engineers are reportedly working on resolving these issues.
Challenges and Workarounds for Users
Although some users might try to bypass the ban using a VPN, experts claim that TikTok will still be able to track locations by other means, such as geolocation data on the phone. A web version of TikTok could be accessed through a browser, but it would be less personalized and have fewer features compared to the app. Users may also try to change their country settings of the device but would need to cancel all active subscriptions, enter new payment methods, and potentially need to travel to another country for the app store download.
A Growing Impact on Influencers For TikTok influencers, the ban could require them to carry two phones-one for use in the US and another for accessing TikTok via a VPN or through international workarounds. The law’s complexity could force influencers to navigate significant hurdles to keep using the platform.
The TikTok ban is a significant step in the ongoing political and technological tensions between the US and China. As the law takes effect, TikTok’s ability to operate in the US will be curtailed severely, and users, influencers, and service providers will need alternative solutions.
