The Supreme Court ruled against TikTok on Friday morning, rejecting TikTok’s challenge to the ban.
This morning, in a landmark ruling, the US Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law forcing ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to divest its ownership of the app by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. of TikTok.
The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty, during which debate intensified over whether the ban would actually come into effect. In an effort to delay the deadline, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA.), Ron Wyden (D-OR.), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) introduced the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act .” The bill seeks to give ByteDance an additional 270 days to take down TikTok, and the associated petition has already garnered over 800,000 signatures: “I believe we’ll reach a million,” Congressman Khanna said free speech, supporting small businesses, and hearing the voices of millions of Americans.” However, as it stands, the ban is still on track to take effect on January 19.
What does a TikTok ban mean for users?
If the ban goes ahead as planned, TikTok’s availability in the US could be affected in several ways:
- Removal from App Stores: TikTok is likely to be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, preventing new users from downloading the app. Existing users will no longer be able to receive updates, leaving the app vulnerable to bugs, security risks and compatibility issues with newer operating systems. Users can still watch and download videos, but over time, this lack of updates can cause significant performance degradation of the app. For example, videos may take longer to load or some features may stop working altogether.
- Possible network and server limitations: Beyond removing the app store, the US government may choose to enforce restrictions at the network level. In this case, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may be directed to block access to TikTok’s servers, effectively rendering the app inaccessible. This approach would be in line with India’s 2020 ban on TikTok, where the government quickly implemented crackdowns on the network, shutting down over 200 million users.
- Impact on creators and businesses: The ban would undoubtedly disrupt the digital ecosystem built around TikTok. Content creators and businesses that rely on the platform for engagement, revenue or marketing will face unexpected challenges. While some creators turn to platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, others are already exploring other alternatives like RedNote, a Chinese-owned short-form video app that’s rapidly gaining traction as a haven for “TikTok refugees.”
Lessons from India’s TikTok ban
India’s ban on TikTok in 2020 offers a glimpse of what could unfold in the US:
TikTok users in India see a pop-up screen due to ban in 2020.
A fluid situation with wider implications
As the January 19 deadline approaches, considerable uncertainty remains. The US government has yet to outline the exact mechanism for implementing the ban, leaving open the possibility of removing app stores, network restrictions or a combination of the two. Meanwhile, legislative efforts like the Extend TikTok Act offer a glimmer of hope for ByteDance and millions of American TikTok users: “I plan to send the petition to President Biden this evening and hope he will take these concerns seriously and act to stop this ban and make sure the app doesn’t go dark on Sunday,” Congressman Khanna (CA-17) said Friday. January 17, 2025.
Looking ahead, the ban on TikTok marks a key moment in the ongoing debate over national security, data privacy and the regulation of technology companies with foreign ties. While the potential absence of TikTok leaves many creators and businesses in limbo, it also opens the door to new opportunities. The US could see a wave of innovation from startups eager to capture the attention of TikTok’s massive user base. Alternatively, dominant platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts – owned by US tech giants Meta and Google – could absorb TikTok’s market share, given their strong position in the United States.
For creators, businesses and users, the coming days will determine whether TikTok can survive or if it becomes the latest casualty in a rising tide of disengagement between the US and China. Whatever the outcome, the evolving social media landscape presents a unique opportunity for innovation, reinvention and growth.
The situation is further complicated by the impending transition in the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, which begins on January 20, exactly one day after the ban goes into effect. While the Biden administration approved this ban and SCOTUS upheld it this morning, it is possible that the incoming Trump administration could choose not to enforce it and possibly reverse the decision. President-elect Trump has previously expressed support for TikTok, stating that he has a “warm spot” in his heart for TikTok. Additionally, TikTok CEO Shou Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration as a guest of honor, sitting alongside tech moguls such as Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos. This points to a possible policy change that could affect TikTok’s future in the US
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