tiktok faces Ban possible in America Later this month if a law that could require the social media app's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to spin off the platform goes into effect as scheduled on Jan. 19.
Specifically, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy Controlled Applications Act would make it illegal Google or Apple's app stores, as well as web-hosting services, to distribute or serve TikTok. If ByteDance had started the process of selling TikTok, the President could also put a hold on the adoption of the law for 90 days.
The Supreme Court on January 11 heard arguments from government lawyers, who say TikTok poses a threat to US national security, and from lawyers for the social media platform. Experts said the judge seemed receptive to the government's case, raising the possibility of a ban. Here's what this will mean for TikTok users in the US
Can I use TikTok after the ban?
If the law goes into effect on January 19, people in the US who have not already downloaded the TikTok app will no longer be able to use it. It will no longer be available for download on app stores including Apple and Google.
For TikTok users who already have the short-form video app on their devices, it remains to be seen what will happen to the app. In one scenario, it will go dark, and users will receive a notification indicating that it is not functional or available to them.
“They'll get a notice that says, 'This service is not available in your country.' Based on what we've seen in other countries, they've banned some platforms, most That would be more likely.” Brown University told CBS MoneyWatch. “If the law goes into effect and they find a major social media platform that they relied on as creators or just users, this generation may suddenly not be available.”
While such action would be unprecedented in the US, this is the experience of users of banned apps in other countries, said Edgar, who thinks this is the most likely outcome in the US.
Other cybersecurity experts say TikTok may not become inaccessible overnight, but rather that the user experience in the US will deteriorate over time.
“If you already have TikTok on your phone, you can use it, but over time you won't get any updates, so the app will become obsolete,” said Qi Liao, a professor of computer and network security at Central Michigan University. CBS Moneywatch. “Various issues may arise as TikTok may introduce new features or security patches, and the app in the US will have sluggish performance as well as security issues. So eventually TikTok users will likely stop using the vulnerable version.”
Can I access TikTok through VPN?
Edgar noted that the new law does not target users, meaning it would not be illegal for people to have TikTok on their phones or attempt to access the platform even if the ban takes effect.
Indeed, US-based users will be able to work around the ban by using a virtual private network to access TikTok. VPNs provide privacy and can make US-based computers appear to be located outside the country to Internet service providers.
Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit focused on digital rights, told CBS MoneyWatch that US TikTok users would likely be able to bypass the ban via a VPN, although that approach is risky.
“Probably, this will work fine,” he said, cautioning, “A lot of free VPNs make money by selling user data.”
Galperin said some providers of free VPN services have been known to install malware on users' devices. “So I would advise people to be very careful when choosing a VPN,” she said.
Meanwhile, Edgar cautioned that setting up more sophisticated VPNs requires time, money, and effort.
“It's not something Americans are accustomed to doing because we're not experienced in having our government filter the Internet,” he said.
What are some TikTok alternatives?
Users looking for a TikTok replacement app have options like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.
“Short-form video content is something that people want and they will continue to find ways to get it,” Edgar said.
Another option is Lemon8, a social media app owned by ByteDance that launched in 2020, though experts say it could be subject to the same laws that threaten to ban TikTok in the US .