So, TikTok might actually get banned. Wild, right?
Whether you love the app, use it to run your small business, or just scroll through to pass the time, there’s no denying it’s a huge part of life for so many people. But as we wait for the U.S. Court of Appeals to make its ruling this Friday, everyone’s holding their breath and wondering the same thing: What’s going to happen to TikTok?
Honestly, no one seems to know. Public support for the big ban has dwindled from 50% of Americans in support to just above 30% being in support. Even the people in charge of making these decisions seem a bit unsure as the incoming administration has become split on going through with it (because they’d lose their massive followings). We’ve been trying to make sense of it all, asking the questions that still need answering. Here are a few of the biggest “what ifs” we’ve been tossing around.
1. What Happens to Creators and Sellers?
This is the question on everyone’s mind. If TikTok gets the boot, what happens to all those creators who’ve built careers on the app? Are they just out of luck? Do they lose their profiles, content, and everything they’ve worked for? And what about sellers using TikTok Shop—how are they supposed to get paid for their orders? It’s like no one has answers, and that’s pretty scary for people depending on this platform.
2. If TikTok Gets a U.S. Buyer, Then What?
So there’s this idea floating around that TikTok could sell its U.S. operations to an American company. But what does that actually look like? Would a new owner change anything? Could they keep the app running smoothly, or would we see major shakeups? ByteDance has been very clear that divesting from them is impossible. Like removing a person’s heart, TikTok just can’t live without ByteDance. Beyond that, who would even want to buy TikTok? Can we vote for someone cool? Asking for a friend.
3. Does This Open the Door to Banning Other Apps?
Here’s a thought that’s been keeping us up at night: could this set a precedent for banning other apps too? TikTok is owned by ByteDance, which has other projects and platforms. Could the U.S. go after those next? Or maybe even other apps from overseas companies? It feels like a slippery slope, and we’re just not sure where it could end.
4. What Happens to Our Data?
This one feels big. If TikTok is banned, what happens to all the data they already have? Do they have to delete it? Or does it just… stay out there? And honestly, does anyone trust the government to handle this stuff the right way? It’s hard not to feel uneasy thinking about how much data we’ve all put out there over the years.
5. How Would This Impact the Economy?
Think about all the small businesses and creators who rely on TikTok. If it’s gone, how much of a ripple effect would that have? Last year, TikTok pumped a little over 24 billion dollars into the US economy. TikTok getting axed means less ad revenue, fewer sales, and fewer opportunities for people to make a living. This could all disappear overnight, which goes way beyond just losing your favorite app… it could really buckle the US economy.
6. Is Someone Already Building the “Next TikTok”?
This is the million-dollar question: if TikTok disappears, what comes next? Are companies like Meta or Google already cooking up a replacement? Or is there some secret startup waiting to swoop in and save the day? We just know that TikTok-shaped hole in the internet won’t stay empty for long.
What’s next?
Talk about an insane week for the state of social media, eh?
What do you think? Are you worried about TikTok disappearing, or do you think there’s a way to save it? Where will everyone go if it’s RIP for TikTok?
Give us your best guess in the comments or over on our LinkedIn page as we wait for the ruling this Friday, December 6th, 2024.