It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours for some 170 million U.S. TikTok users as a ban on the app came into effect leading to a black-out that lasted just 14-hours before it was reinstated.
Following a decision by the United States Supreme Court, the app was banned in the States effective from January 19th. TikTok was voluntarily taken down by its parent company, ByteDance, in adherence of the ruling.
However, the company revealed it would be returning after President-elect Donald J. Trump assured that he would lift the ban following his impending inauguration.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” a statement from the company read on X.
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
Why Is TikTok Banned?
Conversations about a U.S. TikTok ban first began when officials raised concerns about the threat the Chinese-owned app posed to national security relating to U.S. user data being shared with the Chinese government.
As conversations escalated, Congress moved to force ByteDance to sell its stake in the app to a U.S. shareholder or face being cut-off from the market by January 19th. Despite TikTok calling the claims “inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information”, it failed to meet the requirement of a U.S buyer and was subsequently banned (for 14 hours).
Is The TikTok Ban Lifted?
While the TikTok app has returned in the States, seemingly thanks to a promise from soon-to-be President, Donald Trump, what happens next remains unclear.
Following his inauguration, Trump is expected to place a “halt” on the ban, but not abolish it completely.
Takingto social media on Sunday Trump revealed he intends to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
Speaking to NBC, he indicated that the pause on the ban would “most likely” extend for 90-days.
What Impact Will The TikTok Ban Have?
While the TikTok app has returned in the States, seemingly thanks to a promise from soon-to-be President, Donald Trump, what happens next remains unclear.
Following his inauguration, Trump is expected to place a “halt” on the ban, but not abolish it completely.
Takingto social media on Sunday Trump revealed he intends to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
Although significant, many believe the financial uncertainty of a TikTok Ban pales in comparison to the deeper, more widespread implications of the app’s closure. Namely that of its effect on creatives, culture and community as a whole.
Social editor at marie claire Australia, Georgia Nelson agrees: “What started as a dance app has transformed into a platform where so many young people get their news, education and entertainment,” she says.
“It’s seen the rise of so many celebrities, like Addison Rae and Emma Chamberlain, and had a major impact on mainstream media, music, pop-culture, fashion — the list goes on.”
“It’s also been a space for people to find community and seek out others with similar experiences,” an important factor, says Georgia, in considering the wider implications of limiting social media access.
That said, all of this is not to diminish the negative and harmful aspects of social media platforms like TikTok – a development that’s also been recognised in Australia’s-own landmark social media ban.
What Will The US TikTok Ban Mean For Australia?
While there’s no concrete evidence to point to a local ban of the platform, the fact that we are about to head into an election cycle means that anything, and everything, is ripe for political picking.
And if history tells us anything, it’s that what happens in America, rarely stays in America – especially when it concerns geopolitical strategy and tensions with China.
If the US is successful in forcing ByteDance to sell its US-based operations to an American owner as a means of mitigating the perceived threat to its national security, then there’s a chance Australia could follow suit.
And if not for political reasons, then potentially for more technical reasons. “I do think it will have a local impact because if it does go through, the 170 million American users will disperse between You Tube shorts, Instagram, and to a lesser extent, twitter/X,” says head of social content at Are Media, Elise Wright.
“Australia, being a much smaller market, won’t be able to sustain the platform growth and will have to follow the Americans.”
As for how the looming ban might be viewed in hindsight? Georgia has some thoughts.
“Historians will study this short but truly iconic time in history and its far-reaching global impacts, and we’ll all be telling our grandkids about the time Bella Poarch lip-synced m-to-the-b.
“It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well.”
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