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Millions of Americans are now facing the reality of a TikTok ban after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," effectively removing the app from app stores.
The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it's sold by its China-based parent company
UPDATED: Jan 18, 2025 23:42 IST
Millions of Americans are staring at the prospect of TikTok getting banned in US after a new law called the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" is passed.
The Supreme Court in its ruling held that the risk to national security posed by TikTok’s ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the United States.
The decision came against the backdrop of unusual political agitation by President-elect Donald Trump, who vowed that he could negotiate a solution, and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has signaled it won’t enforce the law — which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support — beginning Sunday, his final full day in office.
So, what does this really mean for TikTok users?
Can you still use TikTok after the ban?
If the ban goes through, new users won’t be able to download TikTok as it will be removed from app stores. For those who already have the app, the situation is murkier. Experts predict TikTok could eventually stop working for US users, possibly showing a message that the service is no longer available in the country.
Timothy Edgar, a cybersecurity professor at Brown University, told CBS News that users will likely get a notification saying, "This service is not available in your country."
Another possibility is that users could continue using the app for a while, but without updates, causing performance and security issues over time, as Qi Liao from Central Michigan University explains.
Can you use VPN to access TikTok?
It wouldn’t be illegal to continue using TikTok through a VPN, which can mask your location and make it look like you’re in another country.
However, experts like Eva Galperin from the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn that free VPNs can pose privacy risks, such as selling user data or installing malware. Plus, VPNs can be tricky to set up, especially for those not used to navigating internet restrictions.
What are some TikTok alternatives?
If TikTok is banned, there are plenty of alternatives. YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are the main contenders, both offering short video formats similar to TikTok. ByteDance also owns an app called Lemon8, though it could face similar legal challenges. Another option is RedNote, a Chinese app that’s gaining traction in the US.
With a TikTok ban on the horizon, US users may have to look elsewhere for short-form video fun, but alternatives are already out there.
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Jan 18, 2025
