Is Tiktok going down in America -2025
Introduction
TikTok’s future in the United States is currently uncertain, with a potential ban looming on January 19, 2025. This situation has arisen due to several key developments
Legislative Action and Court Rulings
President Joe Biden signed legislation in spring 2024 that would ban TikTok’s distribution in the U.S. if its parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell it before the January 2025 deadline.
A federal appeals court upheld this legislation on December 6, 2024, and subsequently denied TikTok’s emergency injunction on December 13, 2024.
Potential Consequences
If the ban takes effect
TikTok would be illegal for distribution through app stores like Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Internet service providers would be required to make the app inaccessible on U.S. internet browsers.
Existing users could still access the app, but future software updates would be prohibited.
Economic Impact
The ban could have significant economic repercussions:
TikTok contributed $24.2 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2023, with $15 billion stemming from small businesses.
The platform has aided in creating 224,000 jobs in the U.S. and generated $5.3 billion in tax revenue.
Over 170 million Americans currently use TikTok.
Possible Outcomes
Despite the current trajectory, TikTok’s fate isn’t sealed:
Supreme Court Intervention
TikTok has appealed to the Supreme Court, which could temporarily pause the law while reviewing the case.
Political Factors
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed a “warm spot” for TikTok, potentially influencing its future once he takes office.
Enforcement Discretion
The new administration could choose not to enforce the ban strictly or delay its implementation.
Divestiture
Although currently deemed unlikely by TikTok, a sale of the platform to non-Chinese entities could prevent the ban.
TikTok ban in India?
TikTok was indeed banned in India on June 29, 2020, along with 58 other Chinese apps. This ban was implemented by the Indian government in response to several factors:
Reasons for the Ban
National Security Concerns
The Indian government cited threats to the country’s sovereignty, integrity, and security as primary reasons for the ban.
Military Conflict
The ban followed a violent military clash between Indian and Chinese troops along their shared border, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers.
Data Privacy Issues
Concerns were raised about the potential unauthorized transmission of user data to servers outside India.
Impact of the Ban
The TikTok ban in India had significant consequences:
User Base
At the time of the ban, TikTok had approximately 200 million users in India, the largest user base outside of China.
Economic Effects
The ban affected thousands of Indian TikTok employees and content creators who relied on the platform for income.
Content Creator Migration
Many influencers and content creators shifted to alternative platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and local Indian apps.
Market Shift
The ban created opportunities for other platforms, with YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels capturing a significant portion of the market vacated by TikTok.
Conclusion
While the situation looks precarious for TikTok in the U.S., multiple factors could still influence its fate before the January 19, 2025 deadline. US faces same issues as did I did and needs to make a final decision on the issue.
The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether TikTok will indeed “go down” in America.