After about eight years of creating, uploading, sharing, liking and commenting, the app millions of US citizens know and love, TikTok, nearly faced a permanent ban in the United States. Contradictory to what was predicted, the ban took place Jan. 18, several hours before users were told originally.
It is clear that a part of the US population has not been very fixated on the apps potential removal. A deep concern for those in support of the ban is that China has access to user data, and can manipulate algorithms to target American users with certain videos they may be tempted to engage with.
Even though this is a strong argument to place the ban for good, there is a chance that the Chinese government would still be able to buy user data from data brokers. So transferring an app to a new owner might not fully protect the data of US citizens. Anna Matzner, 11, believes that a permanent ban would not help this issue.
“I think it could happen again,” Matzner said. “There’s definitely parts of TikTok that in the long run could get banned, but then there’s also parts that could be beneficial for advertisements and stuff that shouldn’t get banned.”
Mars Corbett, 10, has a similar view on the matter.
“It’s completely in relation to the mega rich tech companies that have a large hold over government officials,” Corbett said. “It makes no sense as to why it would get banned if it was the actual reason why it was applied to the people.”
After leaving millions of American users stranded, people sent waves of exasperation through other social media outlets as their top choice for scrolling was taken away. However, on Jan. 19, President Donald Trump informed Americans that he would bring it back by temporarily restoring access to the app for US users in anticipation of an executive order, which eventually brought it back to users across the country. At least to those who kept the app downloaded following the ban.
As most users resumed their regular use of the app, those who deleted it and tried to redownload it after the ban took effect were met with a message notifying them that they can no longer access TikTok from their country or region. As for those who kept the app on their devices, they were welcomed back as if nothing had ever happened.
“Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” A message shown upon opening the app said.
Although the app has been restored for many users across the US, there is still some speculation over the app’s long term future. According to CNN, there are two ways to save TikTok’s long term use in America. Either a new law can be passed to reverse the old one that banned TikTok in the first place, or they can force a sale to an acceptable buyer.
There are several issues in these near solutions. In April of 2024, former President Joe Biden gave ByteDance, the company that currently owns TikTok, 270 days to sell the app to either an American owner or ally to save its use. Problem being, since there was a broad bipartisan support in congress with the law banning TikTok, it is not going to be an easy task reversing the original law that was put in place. Additionally, even though Trump was able to extend the deadline of TikTok’s purchase by 75 days, ByteDance has no intention of selling the app.
After several years of an ongoing fight over whether or not we should permanently save the app in the US, it is uncertain what the future of TikTok truly holds.
“At this point, anything is possible,” Sarah Kreps, director of the Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University said to ABC News.
Due to the extreme amount of attachment that American users have to the app, people are finding ways to earn money purely by their technology having TikTok available. According to CBS News, many citizens are selling devices such as phones and tablets with the app downloaded. For example, an iPhone 16 Pro Max selling up for about $50,000 on eBay.
It is safe to assume that America’s beloved app could meet its end in April, unless President Trump manages a way around its deadline for purchase. Even though the majority of TikTok’s users are back, the ban could change everyone’s perspective on social media.
“I did keep the app on my phone, but it hasn’t been the same since,” Corbett said.
