Will TikTok be banned in the USA?
With over a billion people using TikTok every month, it's one of the world's most popular social media apps.
Back in April US President Joe Biden approved a law that could see TikTok banned in America and the company has now started to make its case against the law.
This short video explains what happened earlier this year and what it might mean for UK users.
US President Joe Biden has approved a law that could see TikTok banned in America - but why, and what does it mean for you?
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, the US introduced the law due to concerns TikTok was sharing user data with the Chinese government - something it has always denied.
The law now gives ByteDance nine months to sell its part ownership of the app, or the app will be blocked in the US.
Following the decision, TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew said the “facts and the constitution” were on their side. TikTok added in a statement that it had ‘invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and the platform free from outside influence and manipulation’.
So, does this mean TikTok could completely disappear in America very soon? Well not necessarily. Experts say that any legal challenge by ByteDance will delay the process, so it could take several years for the app to be blocked in the US.
Does this ban affect UK users? Well, TikTok is banned on UK government electronic devices following a security review last year, however, there is nothing to suggest that the UK will follow America in exploring a total ban.
TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance, and the law has been introduced due to concerns that the app might share user data with the Chinese government – a claim it has always denied.
When will TikTok be banned in the USA?
The new law means ByteDance has only months to sell its part ownership in TikTok. But TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew was confident that the American TikTok ban won’t be enforced. "The facts, and the Constitution, are on our side… rest assured, we aren't going anywhere" he said. TikTok added in a statement that it had "invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe" and the platform "free from outside influence and manipulation".
What is TikTok doing about the law?
TikTok has started making its arguments against the law before a three-judge panel at a Washington DC appeals court. Representatives from the company have being joined by eight TikTok creators who say they rely on the platform to market their products and make a living.
Experts believe the “very complicated” case could drag on for months, if not longer and it could take several years for TikTok to be blocked in the USA.
Will TikTok be banned in the UK?
The UK government has already banned TikTok on government devices due to cybersecurity concerns, but there is nothing to suggest that the UK will follow America in exploring a total ban.
This article was updated in September 2024.
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