TikTok US Ban Could Take Effect on January 19

The future of TikTok in the United States hangs by a thread. The Supreme Court recently heard arguments regarding the potential ban, and things are not looking favorable for the popular social media platform.

This development comes after President Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a US ban. The deadline is set for January 19, affecting over 170 million monthly American users.

Here’s what might happen if the ban pushes through. The app will be removed from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. While existing users can keep the app, they won’t receive updates – potentially exposing them to security risks over time.

Interestingly, there might be ways around this restriction. Users could potentially use VPNs to access the platform, similar to how people in Turkey access blocked social media sites.

For Filipino TikTok users, this US situation serves as a reminder of how government policies can impact social media platforms. While the ban currently only affects the US market, it could influence how other countries approach Chinese-owned apps.

ByteDance still has the option to sell TikTok’s US operations, with potential buyers already emerging. Billionaire Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary have already made formal bids.

President-elect Trump has also entered the picture, requesting the Supreme Court to pause the ban’s implementation to allow time for negotiations.

What are your thoughts on this potential TikTok ban? How do you think it might affect content creators worldwide? Share your opinions in the comments section below.