Various reports are suggesting that the prominent short-form video app, TikTok, will be banned from the 19th of June in the USA. This is a huge blow for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok as it was one of the most used apps in the USA.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media app that specializes in short-form content that people can binge on the go. Talking about its user base, Tiktok has amassed a total of over 150 million users, which is a very huge number considering that the population of America is 330 million which means that around half the population of the USA uses TikTok.
Why is TikTok getting banned in the US?
About the TikTok ban situation, the government has released a statement in which they stated that they are concerned about users’ privacy and national security. They have stated that the Tiktok ban can be stopped if ByteDance stops collecting user’s data but ByteDance has refused to comply with the US government, hence Tiktok is likely to get banned in a few days. It is to note that Tiktok’s ban has not yet been confirmed and it can be revoked.
Where else is TikTok already banned?
These privacy concerns against TikTok are not new as it has already gotten itself banned in many other countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, and many more. Talking about the TikTok ban in India, Tiktok had gotten itself banned in India way back in June 2020. Back then, TikTok India had over 200 million users, which made it the leader for the most users in the world for TikTok at that time.
What are the alternatives for TikTok:
Although many believe that the TikTok ban will not take place, those who are doubtful about this ban have already started to look for alternatives to the TikTok app. Many of these users have shifted to other platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube shorts, etc. as they are considered the other king of short-form content. Attention also must be brought to other less-known apps like lemon8 and Clapper, which have also gained a lot of traction due to this TikTok ban controversy. any others have stated that they will resort to using VPNs after the ban to binge TikTok.
What now?
If these allegations against ByteDance, selling users’ data turn out to be true, then TIktok is sure to get banned. Apart from ByteDance, this ban will also be a huge blow to prominent TikTok influencers, who earned their livings through this app as their source of income would be lost. The TikTok ban is a trending topic and thus, it is trending all over the internet.