The US Supreme Court has decided that TikTok — one of the largest entertainment social media platforms worldwide — will be blocked in the country. This will take effect on January 19, unless the app’s Chinese-owned company ByteDance sells its US operations.
Back in April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that would ban the popular video-sharing app — unless it divested from ByteDance. But with just days left a divestment is looking unlikely, so here’s what you need to know.
Is TikTok getting banned in the US?
Very likely.
When Biden first signed the bill back in April, ByteDance had months to sell the app to a company that is not controlled by a “foreign adversary”. But instead of selling, TikTok sued and presented their case in front of the US Supreme Court — who ultimately decided to ban the app.
When the ban was first announced, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew called the ban “ironic because the freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom. TikTok gives everyday Americans a powerful way to be seen and heard, and that’s why so many people have made TikTok a part of their daily lives”.
Why is this happening?
Well see, that’s where it gets a bit complicated.
The main argument against the app is that it is seen as a security risk due to the fact the app is owned by a supposed foreign adversary to the United States — China — and the US Government is worried about users’ data and information being collected in the country.
Tom Barrett, a technology researcher working at The United States Studies Centre, told ABC News: “[TikTok’s] ability to influence and manipulate their audience is that extra layer that makes it particularly concerning to Washington.”
And, of course, chronically-online conspiracy theorists have also given their two cents on the matter.
OK girl… (Source: X)
In a post made to X (formerly Twitter), user Chamath Palihapitiya stated that TikTok is “spyware for a foreign actor”, with countless other netizens agreeing with Palihapitiya’s take.
“I truly do not understand the fight to keep Tik Tok online in the US. It’s literally Chinese spyware that not even the Chinese will let their children use. It’s a weapon that’s harming our children. Still trying to understand the arguments in favor of keeping it online other than some wealthy GOP [Republican] donors will take a massive hit,” one user wrote in reply.
The TikTok ban might have passed, but an unlikely hero might just be able to ‘save’ the beloved app: Donald Trump.
Wait… Trump wants to save TikTok?
While the entire world braces itself for Trump’s return back to the White House on January 20, the President-elect urged the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the ban in late December.
This displays a stark contrast to how he felt about the app back in 2020.
He initially pushed for TikTok to be banned during his first term, stating that it “threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information”, in an executive order.
It seems like Trump’s harsh feelings towards TikTok have mellowed out slightly (maybe he’s willing to forget that one time TikTok users trolled him), as he since vowed to “save” the app and will “put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark”, according to Florida Congressman Mike Waltz, Trump’s incoming National Security Advisor.
When did the Supreme Court arguments begin and how can I watch?
TikTok took to the US Supreme Court on Friday January 10.
The hearing was limited, meaning that TikTok only provided arguments based on the scope of one question: Has the ban violated the First Amendment?
You can watch the live stream of the court hearing below.
What happens if the TikTok ban is upheld?
According to US news outlet NBC News, TikTok is reportedly considering a full-on shutdown of its US site if the ban moves ahead.
However, the TikTok insider told the publication that it hasn’t made an official final decision on what will happen if the Supreme Court rules against it and that discussions surrounding the big move have been ongoing since Wednesday.
One of the options that reportedly arose from these discussions was that a user could still access TikTok content, but could no longer receive updates such as new videos and bug fixes.
“[TikTok] would be unavailable for new downloads in any app stores in the United States, and it would stop working over time because it wouldn’t be able to receive bug fixes and updates,” the publication reported.
Despite these discussions, Noel Francisco, an attorney for the app, said that he understood that TikTok would “go dark” on January 19 if the ban goes ahead.
“Essentially, the platform shuts down,” Francisco told the Supreme Court last Friday.
Whispers of a total shutdown are circulating despite many potential buyers, including former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and former LA Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, expressing their interest in the app.
Recently, Jimmy Donaldson (famously known as Mr Beast) claimed he had a meeting “with a bunch of billionaires” regarding the future of the beloved video app.
“TikTok, we mean business,” he said.
“This is my lawyer right here. We have an offer ready for you. We want to buy the platform. America deserves TikTok. Give me a seat at the table, let me save this platform, TikTok.”
What happens to TikTok after January 19?
If the ban is upheld, new users will not be able to download TikTok from app stores in the US, and existing users won’t be able to update the app.
Both Apple and Google — which operate the two major app stores — have been told they must be ready to remove TikTok from their stores from January 19.
For the 170 million US users, they will still be able to use the app for the foreseeable future, but will not receive any updates to the software. This means that over time, the app will become unusable.
How have Americans coped with the upcoming ban?
Hilariously, American TikTokers have moved on over to Chinese-owned app Xiaohongshu (AKA RedNote). Alongside RedNote, Lemon8 — owned by ByteDance — has risen to the top of the US Apple App Store.
As TikTokers (dubbed “TikTok refugees”) migrate to the new app, American and Chinese netizens have engaged in hilarious and wholesome banter.
Chinese folks on Rednote are now learning and teaching other Chinese users western social media lingo so they can recognize and communicate with each other properly this is the best timeline pic.twitter.com/SQuHLsmu2y
— pocemon (@pocemon111) January 13, 2025
#RedNote #TikTok
— Selesha (@thebestkirin87) January 14, 2025
Guys, isn’t this just how the world is supposed to be? pic.twitter.com/muY2FNvdmF
Rednote is funny pic.twitter.com/MhyCWEMAGG
— THE STAR (@chvseem) January 13, 2025
What does this mean for CapCut?
If ByteDance is banned in the US, it may not just be TikTok that gets cut — popular video editing app CapCut (which is also owned by the Chinese internet company) could also be axed.
According to the Washington Post, the bill that would see TikTok banned would also mean the same for CapCut.
If CapCut gets banned, this could vastly change the short-form video industry across all platforms and force creators onto more complex, and often more expensive editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
What does this mean for Australia?
When the ban was first discussed early last year, the Coalition called for Australia to follow suit and ban TikTok — citing Chinese interference concerns — but the government has not taken any serious stance on it.
What we know for sure, is that Australians won’t wake up on January 19 with a sudden TikTok ban (unlike our friends in the US).
However, if a TikTok ban actually holds up in the US long-term and 170 million users are suddenly removed, it seems likely that the way we use the app will change significantly.
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