TikTok’s Uncertain Future: Will It be Sold or Shutdown in the US?

The US has given TikTok an ultimatum, forcing it to either sell the company or face closure. ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, has 9 months to decide on the matter. This development raises several questions about what will happen to TikTok in the future.

One possibility is that TikTok could be sold to an American company, but this would keep everything relatively the same. However, TikTok considers this new law a ban and plans to challenge it in court, potentially leading to a legal battle in the Supreme Court.

If a legal battle ensues, it could prolong the initial 9-month period, potentially extending it into 2024. With elections approaching in November and a change in administration, the situation could evolve further.

For users outside of the US, this may not directly impact them. However, if a ban were to be implemented, Apple and Google would likely remove the app from their stores, which would lead to an end in updates and restrictions imposed by internet providers. Using a VPN might provide some workaround access for most users.

Facebook-owned Instagram’s Reels feature stands as a potential alternative to TikTok if a ban were to occur. With Reels gaining popularity and offering similar content formats, content creators may shift their focus towards this platform.

The main reason behind the US government’s push to ban TikTok stems from national security concerns. There are fears of potential manipulation of the platform during critical events like elections or conflicts fueling this decision.

Other countries have previously banned or imposed restrictions on TikTok due to national security concerns as well as other reasons like data privacy issues. The European Commission is currently discussing with TikTok over its practices regarding its new app called TikTok Lite. It’s possible that other countries may follow suit or impose additional restrictions on top of existing ones if necessary.

In conclusion, while there is uncertainty about what will happen next for TikTok as they navigate through legal challenges and national security issues; it remains clear that their future will depend heavily on decisions made by governments around the world in coming months.