In a significant move, President Joe Biden has enacted the controversial TikTok ban, compelling the social media app's parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the app or face a nationwide ban in the United States.
The legislation, which was approved by Congress earlier this week, was signed into law by Mr. Biden on Wednesday.
Contrary to widespread apprehension that the Chinese-owned app will abruptly disappear from users' phones, the actual scenario is likely to be quite different. The ban's implementation in India four years ago could provide a roadmap for the impending situation in the US.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act stipulates that ByteDance has a nine-month window to sell TikTok, with a possible extension of three months if a sale is in progress. If this fails to materialize, TikTok will be removed from US app stores. However, potential court challenges could disrupt this timeline, delaying the app's ban.
TikTok boasts a user base of 170 million Americans. If the ban comes into effect, the app will no longer be available in US app stores, making it challenging for users to download the app or receive updates. While users may continue to use the app in the short term, it may eventually become incompatible with their phone's software.
Dean Ball, a research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, explained to The Associated Press, "The TikTok bill relies heavily on the control that Apple and Google maintain over their smartphone platforms because the bill's primary mechanism is to direct Apple and Google to stop allowing the TikTok app on their respective app stores."
Users may find ways to bypass the app's removal from US app stores, such as using a virtual private network (VPN) or a foreign SIM card. However, Ball cautioned that such a mechanism might be less effective in a world where large tech firms face aggressive regulation and antitrust scrutiny.
Drawing from India's experience, some users may adapt to the ban and shift their focus to other apps. Rajib Dutta, for instance, transitioned to Instagram after TikTok was banned in India, a move he described as "not really a big deal."
However, creators and small business owners have expressed concerns that the ban could adversely affect their livelihoods. Over seven million US businesses sell products on the platform, according to The Washington Post. The Independent has reached out to TikTok for information on the current number of creators on the app. As of November 2023, Sprout Social reported over 100,000 US-based influencers on TikTok.
Alex Pearlman, a TikTok creator, shared with The Associated Press how the platform had transformed his life. He had put his aspirations of becoming a comedian on hold while working a regular office job until TikTok offered him an opportunity to return to the stage. Pearlman has since left his office job and embarked on his first nationwide tour.
"In reality, TikTok has been the driver of American social media for the last four years. Something will step into that place if TikTok vanishes tomorrow. Whether or not that will be better or worse, Congress has no way of knowing," Pearlman stated.
The future remains uncertain for TikTok influencers like Pearlman, who may struggle to transition their content and earnings to a different social media platform. India-based user Winnie Sangma shared his experience post-ban, stating that while he has managed to build a following on Instagram and earn money from it, the experience doesn't match that of TikTok.
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