On the night of January 19th, social media users across America were upset to find that their favorite platform, TikTok, had become inaccessible due to a law passed by Congress.
TikTok has been one of the most popular social media apps in the world since 2018. It is known for its viral trends, advanced algorithm, and focus on content optimization. Despite its popularity, TikTok was briefly banned due to the association of its parent company, Bytedance, with China. This connection was considered a threat to national security. The Justice Department claimed that China manipulated content on TikTok to support its geopolitical interests and collected data from millions of American users.
The banning of TikTok had its justifications, but there is more to the situation than meets the eye. The ban was detrimental to the many TikTok creators who rely on the app as a source of income. Some have spent years building a brand and community through their account.
One TikTok creator, Britton Copeland, was so upset she considered boycotting other social media platforms in light of the ban. She made a video describing her hardship: “It sucks because I feel like I’m this close–this close to having my dream,” she explained. Other creators chose different ways to cope with the ban. Duke Depp, a creator with almost 20 million followers, decided to repost viral moments from the app’s history. He commented, “all week I’m using my account to remember PEAK TikTok, before the platform is gone for good.”
Some users began to look for alternatives to the app. Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts were the immediate choice for many, but others searched for more underground replacements. By January 12th, 180,000 users had signed up for an app called Neptune, set to release sometime in 2025. Amidst all the chaos, there was hope for the people of TikTok. After the ban, users would see a display message every time they opened the app. It read, “a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19,” and that they are “working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible.” This did not mean TikTok would be back for good, but it did mean it would be unbanned temporarily. Just 12 hours after the ban on January 19th, TikTok’s removal was suspended by President Donald Trump. Some have wondered what the point of the 12-hour ban was, considering the app was restored anyway. Karine Jean-Pierre, the Biden administration’s White House Press Secretary, gave her opinion: “It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday.”
President Trump was able to delay the ban for 75 days. That time is being spent finding a way to make TikTok available in America in a way that does not threaten national security. President Trump stated, “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up.” This news provides hope for the many TikTok creators and users across America.