Impact of US TikTok ban: alternative apps, potential effects on the UK, and user implications

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Impact of US TikTok ban: alternative apps, potential effects on the UK, and user implications
Impact of US TikTok ban: alternative apps, potential effects on the UK, and user implications

The TikTok ban in the US has some UK content creators concerned about what it means for their income and futures with fears the UK could bring in a similar ban on the app.

TikTok creators are casting anxious glances across the pond today as a ban on the app looms. An appeal by TikTok was rejected by the US Supreme Court this week. TikTok hoped the ban would be declared unconstitutional on free speech grounds, but the court rejected the appeal and upheld a law brought in by President Joe Biden in April last year.

This gave TikTok a deadline of January 19 to separate its US business from parent firm ByteDance, a China-based company whose control of TikTok is seen as a national security threat by the US government. There is still some hope for the app after President-elect Donald Trump he will “most likely” give TikTok 90 more days to work out a deal after he is sworn into office on Monday.

People record themselves on a smartphone for social media in Times Square in New York City on January 17, 2025 qhiukiuiqkdinv

UK TikTokers are worried

The Biden administration has indicated it will not enforce the law, but TikTok has said it will “be forced to go dark on January 19” unless the US Government gives assurances a shut down will not be enforced.

Similar concerns over security relating to Chinese influence on the app have been expressed in the UK, leading creators to fear a similar ban will be implemented. TikTok is already banned on government devices because of cybersecurity concerns.

In the US, the law sees mobile app stores and internet hosting services facing major fines if they continued to distribute the website to American users after the January 19 deadline. Similar action in the UK could deter companies from offering the app to British users.

TikTokers in the UK have expressed fears about what the move in the US could mean for their viewership and income. Tom Pratt, 23, a TikToker from London who interacts with users online – mainly Americans – by asking them geography trivia, fears the app will struggle to continue if users from the US are banned from using the platform.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, on Jan. 9, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida

Trump he will ’most likely’ give TikTok 90 more days to work out a deal

“The US as a country is so powerful and big and I don’t think TikTok can keep going if there’s no American users on the app,” said Mr Pratt, who has more than 220,000 followers on TikTok.“I think it will sadly change over to another app, which I hate, because I absolutely love TikTok."

 There are “no plans” for a TikTok ban in the UK, however. A UK Government spokesperson said: “This is a matter for the US government. There are no plans to introduce a TikTok ban in the UK. We engage with all major social media companies to understand their plans for ensuring the security of UK data and to ensure they meet the high data protection and cyber security standards we expect.”

Alternative platforms could benefit from a potential app exodus. Instagram and YouTube already offer similar formats with reels and shorts. There is also Snapchat Spotlight, while Elon Musk-owned X may also hope to pick up a few users.

American and Chinese users have also been sharing jokes on popular Chinese social media app RedNote, dubbed an alternative TikTok by some. Similar security fears also extend to this Chinese-owned app based in Shanghai, but some of its users have appeared to hit back at such suggestions.

China’s actual TikTok alternative is the app Douyin. Apps similar to TikTok that may also hope to benefit could be the likes of Lemon8, Flip, Fanbase and Clapper.

Sophia Martinez

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