TikTok vs. the U.S. Government: a battle over data, free speech, and creativity

TikTok has quickly become one of the most widely used apps across the globe, as millions use the app to connect, learn, and even get paid for their videos and creations through the TikTok fund. TikTok which was introduced by a company called ByteDance was initially released in September 2016, picking up its popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people tapped into their creative side. With over 3 billion downloads by 2022 and an estimated 1 billion active users each month, TikTok not only allowed people to become part of communities that explored shared interests like cooking and dance, but the app has also played a huge role in information-sharing regarding global occurrences, politics, and ongoing wars and genocides. 

While the app continues to grow and expand with each passing year, even introducing the TikTok marketplace to sell goods and the TikTok creator fund that allows creators to make money off of their videos, TikTok found itself in the midst of a legal battle as the U.S. started work towards banning the app in America. Talks regarding the TikTok ban initially started in April 2024, as the Biden administration signed a bipartisan TikTok bill which gave the Chinese parent company six months to sell its controlling stake or be blocked by the U.S. While TikTok filed a lawsuit to block the ban, calling it an intrusion on free speech rights, by August 2024 the U.S. Government accused the social media company of unlawfully collecting data, filing a lawsuit to continue with the block. While TikTok has bid to overturn the law that will see the ban of the app, stating that it has not been asking users for their data further urging that the law endangers free speech as well as loss of jobs as the app has around 7,000 U.S. employees by the 17th of January 2025, the U.S. The Supreme Court had made the decision to uphold the law that would lead to TikTok being banned in the U.S. by 19th January 2025. 

With this decision, TikTok was flooded by the millions of U.S. creators who feared the worst as they were faced with bidding farewell to the app that changed their lives. With the popularity of TikTik during the pandemic, many people found content creation through the app as a life-changing move as people got an opportunity to tap into their creative side and make money out of it. Creators took to the platform to share their farewell, talking about how TikTok changed their lives for the better as many were finally able to make a stable income and get access to better housing and better lives. Some of the biggest creators who grabbed the attention of millions during the peak of the platform also took to sharing the first few videos that got them the ‘hype’ to become some of the largest creators on the platform. 

As the clock struck midnight and the 19th of January started out, Americans were greeted with a message on their TikTok application that stated the application was no longer usable for U.S. users as a law had been enacted banning TikTok. The message which says ‘you can’t use TikTok for now’ still gave users some hope, as the newly elected President of the U.S. started working alongside the CEO of TikTok Shou Chew, hoping for a further delay in the ban as the new administration works on a ‘political resolution’. With this, TikTok went dark for millions of U.S. users on the 19th of January, 2025 - as many anticipated the end of one of the most popular social media platforms across the globe. 

Another interesting phenomenon then started taking place, as users quickly discovered the Chinese equivalent of TikTok prior to the ban. ‘Xiaohongshu’ or RedNote quickly became the number one downloaded application in the U.S. as users were desperate to find a similar platform that would welcome them after the ban of TikTok. As RedNote became the platform of choice, the irony was not lost to many as the American Government banned TikTok claiming that China was stealing data, and having its own citizens download an actual Chinese app defeating the whole purpose of banning TikTok to begin with.  This new discovery for Americans started a cultural exchange like never before, as Chinese citizens welcomed the Americans, whom they referred to as ‘TikTok refugees’ with open arms. Social media platforms were quickly filled with wholesome exchanges such as Americans helping Chinese students with their English lessons while Chinese students started helping American students with their mathematics lessons. 

Just one day after going dark, TikTok stated that it would be restoring service to U.S. users, as President-elect Donald Trump provided assurance to the company’s service providers. 

Although Trump had initially campaigned and advocated for the TikTok ban prior to being elected as the President of the U.S., a 90-day extension before the ban has been enforced, leaving the future of TikTok up in the air. While many, including the CEO of TikTok, have commanded Trump's decision to push back the TikTok ban, users are unsure whether TikTok will have to become a joint venture in order to continue providing its services in the U.S. The idea of the joint venture for TikTok, which was floated by the U.S. has also become a fear for many, as users state that the app might lose its authenticity with the U.S. Government interference - making it similar to Meta.