Exploring TikTok’s Rise and Uncertain Future: What It Means for Users in the US

The ruling ended a lengthy legal battle that weighed national security against free speech. TikTok, ByteDance, and many of its dedicated users argued that the law violated the First Amendment.

The Biden administration claimed that ByteDance’s ownership created a risk to U.S. security.

However, this ruling might not close the book on TikTok. Its saga is intertwined with the larger tensions between the U.S. and China.

A Biden administration official mentioned that the outgoing government would leave any enforcement decision to President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump has highlighted TikTok’s role in helping him gain the support of younger voters in recent elections.

A Trump adviser indicated this week that the new administration would take steps to keep TikTok operational. However, it’s unclear what those steps might involve or if they will hold up in court.

Here’s a quick overview of how TikTok became a global sensation and the political challenges it faced:

The Rise of TikTok

TikTok is one of many apps created by ByteDance, a tech company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming in Beijing.

In 2016, ByteDance introduced Douyin, a short-video platform in China, and later launched TikTok globally. They also merged Musical.ly, a popular lip-syncing app, into TikTok, while keeping it distinct from Douyin.

The app quickly gained popularity, marking a significant breakthrough for a Chinese platform in Western markets. TikTok focused on catering content to individual users, unlike other platforms that centered on user connections.

The app became known for fun, lighthearted videos, and helped musicians like Lil Nas X gain fame. TikTok’s popularity surged during the COVID-19 lockdowns with viral dance challenges.

As TikTok’s influence grew, competitors like Instagram and YouTube introduced their own short-video features, but by then, TikTok was already a household name.

Facing Criticism

With success came scrutiny. U.S. officials raised alarms about ByteDance’s Chinese ties and potential data privacy issues. They pointed to Chinese laws that may require companies to share user data with the government.

In 2020, Trump attempted to ban TikTok and WeChat, but courts intervened. India also banned TikTok that same year amid rising tensions with China.

The Biden administration dropped many of Trump’s orders but continued a national security review regarding TikTok.

Negotiations Stall

From January 2021 to August 2022, TikTok negotiated with the Biden administration about its future in the U.S., leading to a 90-page draft security agreement.

However, substantive talks eventually stopped, although some discussions continued in the following months.

The draft agreement aimed to open TikTok’s U.S. operations to security checks and restrict data access from China. TikTok has claimed to have invested over $2 billion in this agreement, known as Project Texas.

Nevertheless, the U.S. government argued that TikTok’s plan didn’t create enough separation from its Chinese operations. Concerns also arose about the transparency of TikTok’s algorithm and its complex nature, making oversight challenging.

This year, federal agencies were directed to remove TikTok from government devices, following similar actions by other nations.

In a tense hearing, TikTok’s CEO sought to convince lawmakers that the platform prioritizes user safety and doesn’t need to be banned due to its links to China.

By September 2023, TikTok representatives last met with federal officials. The platform faced increasing criticism, particularly among Republicans, who accused it of promoting certain content, a claim TikTok denied.

The Ban-or-Sale Law

In early last year, discussions to ban TikTok reignited in Congress, gaining bipartisan support as fears about surveillance grew.

The law upheld by the Supreme Court was passed as part of a crucial aid package and signed by President Biden. TikTok and others quickly filed suit.

A lower court upheld the law, giving ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok, with a possible extension if negotiations were active.

The timing of the ban on the day before Trump’s inauguration is complicated. Only the sitting president can delay the ban for 90 days if a sale is in progress.

Experts say existing users will still have access on Sunday, but new downloads and updates won’t be possible, making the app ultimately unusable, according to the Justice Department.