by Jan Michael Carpo, Reporter
The future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance as the US Supreme Court prepares to rule on the legality of a law that could force the popular video-sharing app to sell or shut down.
The law, passed by Congress last year, stems from national security concerns about its Chinese ownership by ByteDance.
Potential shutdown of TikTok and its consequences
If the Supreme Court upholds the law, TikTok could be removed from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store as early as Sunday, January 19th.
This would prevent new users from downloading the app, but existing users with the app already installed on their phones would likely still be able to access it. However, without access to updates, the app would slowly decline in quality and become more vulnerable to security risks.
Some analysts believe that the video app may continue to function for existing users even after a ban, but updates would cease, leading to a gradual decline in quality and increased security vulnerabilities.
To circumvent these issues, users might resort to workarounds like virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask their location and access the well-loved video app through servers in countries where it remains available.
TikTok could also potentially update the app through servers located outside the US, but this would violate US law and likely invite further scrutiny.
The Trump administration’s role
The enforcement of the ban hinges on the actions of the Trump administration, which takes office this Sunday. The new Attorney General will have the authority to decide whether to enforce the ban or seek modifications to the law from the Republican-controlled Congress.
A delay or reversal of the ban could give ByteDance more time to find a buyer for the app’s US operations or negotiate a solution with the US government.
In the event of a ban, TikTok users are expected to migrate to other social media platforms that offer similar short-form video content. These include YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media app that has recently gained popularity in the US.
Additionally, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, which is aiming to become more like TikTok in terms of video content and commerce services, could also benefit from a TikTok ban. Notably, Mark Zuckerberg’s recent public support for Trump might be linked to concerns that a TikTok ban would primarily benefit Meta-owned Instagram.
Several potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations, including a group led by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, a potential partner in the McCourt bid, recently played golf with Trump, sparking speculation that the President-elect might use the TikTok controversy as leverage in US-China relations. ByteDance has so far rejected any buyout offers.
The Supreme Court’s decision and its implications
The Supreme Court’s decision will be the ultimate factor determining TikTok’s fate in the US. TikTok’s lawyers have requested that the Court delay any ban to allow for a solution to be reached. With the Court’s ruling expected this week, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain.
Over in the Philippines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has received a significant boost in its fight against online scams and cybercrimes, which have tripled in the first half of the year. In a recent media forum, four major social media platforms – YouTube, TikTok, Meta, and Google – have pledged their support to the DICT in combating cyber threats.
This collaboration, formalized through a commitment-signing ceremony, came amidst the celebration of Cybersecurity Month last year, where DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy emphasized the critical need for heightened security awareness among Filipinos, particularly on social media platforms.
This partnership signifies a crucial step towards a safer and more secure digital landscape for the Philippines, as the government and industry players join forces to protect citizens from the growing threat of online crimes.