With the TikTok ban set to take effect in the United States on Sunday, January 19, the future of the popular app in the US remains uncertain. The US Supreme Court has ruled that TikTok will be removed from Google and Android app stores unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it by that date. While the ban is primarily targeting US users, its implications may also be felt in the UK.
The ban stems from concerns that TikTok’s data collection practices could potentially expose American users’ personal information to the Chinese government. This issue was initially raised during President Donald Trump’s administration and continues to be a point of contention despite ByteDance’s denials of any such links. In April 2024, a bill was passed, requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to an approved buyer or face a shutdown.
For UK users, the ban won’t directly affect the availability of the app, as UK app stores are governed by local legislation. However, concerns have arisen about the indirect impact, particularly for UK TikTok creators who may lose access to a significant portion of their audience from the US, the largest English-speaking user base. UK users may also miss out on content from popular American creators, which could diminish the app’s appeal.
While there are no immediate plans for a nationwide TikTok ban in the UK, the app has already been banned on work phones of UK ministers and civil servants due to security concerns. This situation has led some to wonder if a similar move could be implemented across the country.
Despite the looming ban, there is a possibility that it could be stopped if former President Trump vetoes it when he steps into his second term, though his current stance has softened, expressing appreciation for the app’s role in his political campaigns.
In the wake of the potential ban, another app, Rednote, has gained traction as a possible alternative to TikTok. Owned by the Shanghai-based Xingyin Information Technology, Rednote offers a similar platform for sharing photos and videos, as well as online shopping. Over 700,000 former TikTok users have already migrated to the platform, highlighting the growing appeal of alternatives to the app.
While the US ban could have ripple effects for TikTok’s global audience, especially in English-speaking countries like the UK, only time will tell how significant the impact will be for users and creators alike.
