With the Ban and Revival of TikTok, What’s Going to be the Future of the App
On Jan. 19, Congress announced that the United States-wide TikTok ban would occur. This was news that had been anticipated for months in advance, but the TikTok community was unaware of how events would unfold. The ban was implemented due to growing concerns over data privacy and national security risks associated with the app's Chinese ownership. Lawmakers feared that TikTok could be used to collect sensitive information on American users and potentially share it with the Chinese government. This decision reflects increasing tensions and a push for more stringent regulations on foreign-owned digital platforms.
The potential ban left users and content creators scrambling to find alternative platforms to express themselves and maintain their audiences. Many turned to Instagram Reels,YouTube Shorts, and emerging apps like Triller to fill the void left by TikTok. This shift presents a unique opportunity for new social media platforms to innovate and capture the attention of users seeking fresh and engaging content. Some users have resorted to exploring virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions, although this approach raises legal and ethical concerns. Others embraced the creative tools and features offered by the alternative platforms, adapting their content style to fit these new environments. Additionally, influencers leveraged cross-platform strategies to maintain their presence and engage with their followers across multiple social media channels. Most just couldn’t believe that the popular social media app would be gone.
Just a night before the app was supposed to get banned, on Jan. 18th, it went dark for U.S. users. When someone would try to open the app it would leave a message saying, “Sorry, TikTokisn’t available right now.” Users were left with the realization that an unexpected turn of events had many influencers in shock. The ban, aimed at addressing security concerns, sparked debates about the future of social media platforms and their role in society.
The news led to an interview with Vanessa Gibson, a TikTok user, who reported having a similar experience the night after TikTok disappeared from the U.S. app store. Vanessa Gibson had recently been advocating for the app's safety and freedom. She expressed her disappointment about the sudden disappearance of the app and its potential impact on her and other citizens. She also stressed the need for governments to take action to ensure the safety of their citizens. She stated, “The night of the ban I felt a mix of anxiety and frustration, as TikTok had become a significant part of my daily routine and a source of entertainment and connection. The sudden ban left me feeling disconnected and uncertain about the future of censorship in this country.” In her last video on TikTok before the ban she called on her government to reconsider its decision and to find a more balanced way to regulate content. She concluded, "It's important that we protect our citizens, but it's equally important that we maintain our freedom of speech and expression."
Not even a full day later, the app was back up and running for those who still had the app on their phones before the ban, but it still wasn’t available in the appstore. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay the ban for an additional 75 days. When the app was opened up it displayed a new message praising Donald Trump by saying, “Welcome back!... As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.” The app’s availability was still in question since it wasn't able to be downloaded in app stores until bought by a U.S. company.
However, the app changing hands received backlash from users of TikTok because they feared that a new owner may not be committed to upholding the same privacy and data security standards as TikTok, which could lead to user data being misused. Additionally, they feared that a new owner could impose more stringent censorship policies, which could affect the type of content that's available on the platform. Users have already been complaining that the app has been significantly different since the ban. It has been reported that after the ban was lifted, Facebook and Meta, companies owned by Mark Zuckerberg, have been tuning into the app and ruining the algorithms of users. Some users worry that Facebook and Meta involvement might lead to TikTok emulating features that prioritize advertisements over organic content discovery. This could result in a user experience that feels less authentic and more commercialized, potentially driving users away from the platform. There was even a rumor that Elon Musk was in position to buy the popular social media app.
Even now, the future of TikTok hangs in a tedious balance, with many users concerned about how the app's essence and user experience might change under new ownership.
