TikTok is facing an ultimatum from the United States to either sell the company or shut down. ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, has nine months to decide on its next steps. The potential outcomes of this decision are many, with one possibility being a sale to an American company, keeping most aspects of the app intact. However, TikTok has expressed that they view the new law as a ban and plan to challenge it in court.
The legal process could potentially extend the initial nine-month period beyond 2024, depending on how things play out. With elections on the horizon, the political landscape may also influence the outcome. Users outside of the US may not feel an immediate impact, but a TikTok without its large American user base would be a different platform altogether. This could lead to changes in trends, challenges, and overall content on the app.
Competitors like Reels on Instagram and YouTube Shorts are emerging as alternatives to TikTok. However, without a clear alternative for users to switch to, many may continue using TikTok regardless of what happens. National security concerns are driving much of the push for regulation of TikTok, with questions around potential manipulation of content, access to user data, and geopolitical implications fueling this debate.
Other solutions may include partial sales of TikTok or blocking of its algorithm by China if necessary. Other countries have taken actions against TikTok for similar reasons, banning it in certain regions such as Europe where there are ongoing discussions with the European Commission regarding TikTok Lite.
Overall, while legal battles and national security concerns continue to shape TikTok’s fate