What Does A Total TikTok Ban Mean For Users?

The possibility of a total TikTok ban in the U.S. keeps floating around in news reports and social media platforms. Several government institutions have already implemented a TikTok ban on government-issued devices starting in 2022. The app is banned on all federal devices as well.

And now it seems likely that Americans will no longer be able to access the app six months from now either. A current bill seeks to force ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its stake in the app. If President Biden signs this bill into law, there will be no more TikTok in the U.S.

But what does a total TikTok ban mean for users?

No More TikTok Means Far Less Online Entertainment

There are more than one billion active users on TikTok. These users create and consume content every hour of every day. A ban on TikTok in the U.S. means the loss of at least 100 million monthly active users. And, in general, it would mean far less online entertainment. More than 980,000 videos get uploaded to TikTok every hour. Taking away a hundred million users will significantly cut into this figure.

TikTok videos range from funny skits to impromptu dances to educational content and business information. A total ban would inevitably motivate users to find alternatives, which means they may turn to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. As a result, these platforms may experience a surge in users. The problem, however, is that these platforms cannot replicate the TikTok user experience.

Massive Impact On Content Creators and Influencers

Over the years, TikTok has offered a place for content creators and influencers to live out their creativity while earning extra money. These TikTok users launched their careers on this platform, drawing large audiences and making more money than they ever thought possible. A ban would effectively destroy all U.S-based established content channels. This would leave content creators in different sectors without their main (or extra) income.

Users can create content on other social media apps, but with those platforms already overcrowded, they may find it impossible to be successful. In the worst-case scenario, this could mean large-scale income loss and far fewer career opportunities.

U.S.-Based Online Communities Would Be No More

Much like the ever-popular Reddit, TikTok is also home to several online communities. Users within these communities have a shared interest in specific topics or hobbies. They connect and share new information within these communities. If TikTok is no longer accessible in America, these communities would have to set up shop on other platforms.

Privacy Concerns and Data Security

U.S. lawmakers and spy chiefs believe that China is using TikTok to gain a foothold within America’s democracy. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence says that a propaganda group with China’s government already targeted both Republican and Democrat candidates even before the U.S. midterm elections kicked off in 2022. And the fear is that China could unsettle the upcoming November 2024 elections.

China’s national security laws give the country’s government the authority to force ByteDance to allow them access to American user data. TikTok has refuted claims that it has shared U.S. user data with China and says it will not do so even if the Chinese government asks.

A complete ban would naturally eliminate these concerns but not address the impact on American users. For them, they would simply be without access to an app they enjoyed for many years.

A Rise in VPNs and Fake or Hacked TikTok Apps

Internet and social media bans happen worldwide. This never goes down well, even if things calm down after a while. Many countries have already taken steps to impose a blanket ban on TikTok, including Afghanistan, India and Nepal. Countries like Canada and Australia have banned TikTok from government and other official devices.

However, this does not mean users will not find another way to access TikTok. Many people download VPNs to make it look like they are accessing the app from another country. While this may work up to a point, VPNs are notoriously slow and unreliable. And users may be acting against the law depending on how a TikTok ban works in their country.

Moreover, there is always the possibility that a black market could emerge for sideloaded or hacked TikTok accounts. This poses serious security risks for any user who wants unauthorized access to TikTok. A blanket ban in the U.S. could lead to these consequences and more.

There Is an Argument For Free Speech and Open Access

Banning TikTok may also lead to widespread protests. The concept of banning a hugely popular app like TikTok brings concerns about free speech and access to information to the forefront. Yes, national security is a concern, but if the app is banned, it may set a precedent for government censorship of online platforms. This would be a first for the U.S. and will not go down well in an election year. Users will likely argue that the government should find a solution to minimize the security risks without taking away citizen’s rights to use TikTok.

Users May Have to Settle For a U.S.-Based Alternative

If the U.S. government does ban TikTok, it may present an opportunity to develop a U.S.-based alternative. An app created in America would reduce the national security risk while giving TikTok users another platform to use. However, there is no guarantee that the new platform will offer the same level of engagement of content creation success.

The Drama Could Spill Over to Other Platforms

Banning TikTok in America would make it easy to implement stricter regulations on other social media platforms. This would further impact users’ social media experience and content creation freedom.

The Way Forward

The imminent ban of TikTok is part of a bigger issue, namely foreign-owned social media apps and the security risks accompanying them. A complete ban on TikTok in the U.S. would bring several consequences for local users, but the ban will also reverberate worldwide. The security concerns are valid, but so are the potential problems accompanying a ban.

As of this writing, the future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain. However, more planning is required regarding how to handle the situation before making any final decisions.