TikTok, a social media platform launched in 2016 by Chinese tech company ByteDance, was temporarily banned by the United States government on Jan. 19. The app has gained popularity around the world, especially among younger generations.
As of Jan. 19, American users regained access to TikTok after it shut down for 14 hours. Users received a pop-up message crediting then President-elect Donald Trump for the platform’s return saying, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”
Although the app is still not available in the Apple or Google app stores in the U.S., those who had it before the shutdown still have access to their account.
Trump said he will work alongside TikTok to come up with a long-term solution to keep it accessible in the U.S. after he issued an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days to allow ByteDance more time to find a buyer.
U.S. officials had argued that TikTok is a national security threat, claiming the Chinese government has access to American users’ personal data and artificially boosts pro-China viewpoints. Former President Joe Biden signed a law in April 2024 that would ban the app effective Jan. 19 if ByteDance did not sell it to a government-approved buyer.
Reagan Powers, a senior marketing major, expressed doubt over the alleged privacy threat.
“For the majority of the population who aren’t sharing their entire lives on TikTok, I don’t see how their data is being used,” Powers said.
Powers expressed displeasure over the ban, saying that there are “bigger issues in the world to consider.”
“Social media companies, regardless of whether they’re owned by a Chinese company or not, can do whatever they want with user data,” said Jessica Maddox, associate professor in the University Department of Journalism and Creative Media who researches social media platforms. “I think people should be concerned about their data being mishandled on social media, but I think that to single out one app is the wrong approach.”
Maddox expressed how other foreign social media apps should be worried about operating in the U.S., but apps run by the U.S. should be safe from any kind of ban.
The majority of the U.S. actively uses TikTok as a form of work or entertainment. There are over 1 million creators over 1.4 billion users worldwide, and more than 170 million of those users are American.
This ban likely will heavily affect TikTok influencers who use the app as their only source of income.
“Although TikTok is not my full-time job, I use it as a way to make extra money as a college student. This ban is upsetting, especially for those who rely on it for income,” said Bella Grace Gates, a TikTok creator with over 160,000 followers and 4 million likes, and a sophomore majoring in biology.
Gates said she enjoys using TikTok to discuss her religious beliefs and her experience in her sorority. Alabama Rush is big on TikTok with the hashtag “bamarush” having over 1.3 million posts, showcasing everything from outfits of the day to behind-the-scenes in a sorority house.
A large number of content creators have switched to using Instagram and RedNote as another platform if TikTok goes away after the 75-day extension. Gates said she would have followed others and gone to Instagram as well, as Instagram Reels is similar to TikTok.
“I really haven’t thought through switching to a different platform. I’m feeling denial at this point, but I’m hoping that I could engage my Instagram platform,” Gates said before the timeline on the ban was extended.
TikTok is also a way to promote small businesses, find recipes, access information easily and communicate in a fun way.
“I use it like a search platform, so I’ll miss being able to find super specific videos by searching it, because it’s just not the same on Instagram,” said Nora Sammons, a sophomore majoring in apparel and textiles.
Sammons said that she’s also upset about the potential ban because sending TikToks is her favorite way to communicate with her friends since she can find “almost anything on there.”
Powers said that although she does love TikTok, she wishes that everyone could readjust their priorities.
“TikTok not being banned is quite humorous to me. Many users were acting like the world was ending, and it’s heartbreaking to see more news about losing the app than what is happening around the world,” she said.