Concerned about TikTok Addiction? Understanding the Potential Impact of the House Vote to Ban it

If you love TikTok and are concerned about the possibility of being unable to use it due to a bill that was passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, there's no need to panic just yet.

To give you a quick update: US lawmakers are making a renewed push to regulate TikTok because of worries about national security issues connected to its Chinese owner, ByteDance. The bill aims to prevent TikTok from being available on US app stores unless it separates from ByteDance promptly.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, also known as the bill, made progress last week as it moved out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This Wednesday, it was approved in the House with a majority of 352 votes in favor and only 65 representatives opposing.

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The House has approved a bill that could potentially lead to the banning of TikTok in the US. Many of the approximately 170 million Americans who use the app are worried that losing TikTok would mean losing a lot more than just a platform where they can keep up with the latest news about the Princess of Wales. For them, TikTok is a place where they can connect with others, be entertained, find information, and even make a living. In response to the app warning users about a possible ban, some TikTok users reached out to their representatives to ask them to vote against the bill.

Other social media platforms have tried to replicate TikTok's success by utilizing short videos and strong recommendation algorithms. However, convincing users to switch from one platform to another is a challenging task.

Despite the efforts of other companies, TikTok's popularity is not waning and will continue to be a mainstay on American smartphones.

If the bill is signed into law, it will encounter many obstacles and is likely to be challenged in court. There is also uncertainty regarding whether an American buyer would be willing to acquire TikTok (if ByteDance decides to sell the platform).

Here’s some important information for TikTok users who are concerned about the potential ban:

How likely is the bill to become law?

Now that the bill has passed the House, it moves to the Senate, where it faces a more uncertain outcome.

One major hurdle: The bill is not well-liked by many TikTok users, a lot of whom are young voters that could have a significant influence in the 2024 US election. Senators are fully aware of this. Prior to the vote on Wednesday, some TikTok users shared videos urging their representatives not to pass the bill, threatening to support other candidates if they did.

In response to the House vote on Wednesday, a TikTok spokesperson stated, "This process was done in secret and the bill was rushed through simply because it aims to ban." The spokesperson expressed hope that the Senate will carefully consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and understand the potential impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use the platform.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that he will not promise to bring the TikTok bill to the Senate floor for a vote. He mentioned that the Senate will examine the legislation once it is received from the House.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin expressed his worries about the constitutionality of the bill on Tuesday. He also pointed out that passing the bill could result in political repercussions, especially for President Joe Biden, who has indicated his willingness to sign the bill if it reaches him before the 2024 election.

Durbin believes that excluding a significant number of young voters is not a wise reelection tactic. This could be especially true now, with former President Donald Trump expressing his opposition to a TikTok ban, a change from his previous position during his presidency.

How would the law work if it manages to pass the Senate and get signed into law? TikTok has indicated that it would probably challenge the legislation in court. In Montana, a similar bill has been put on hold because TikTok claimed it goes against the first amendment.

If the bill is passed, TikTok will have around five months to separate from ByteDance. Otherwise, app stores in the United States won't be allowed to have TikTok on their platforms.

App stores that break the law may face fines depending on the number of users of the banned app. The bill sets fines at $5,000 per user of a banned app. This means that Apple and Google could potentially face fines of up to $850 billion each for hosting TikTok.

It's uncertain if ByteDance would be willing to sell or spin off TikTok. If they decide to do so, they might have difficulty finding an American buyer willing to pay the price, even though the app is very popular.

According to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, TikTok is valued at around $100 billion. Additionally, many big US tech companies are currently under strict regulatory scrutiny, which could hinder them from making a significant purchase like acquiring TikTok.

Lawmakers are considering banning TikTok from US app stores, but removing the app from users' phones would be a challenging task. Additionally, VPN services could help US users bypass the ban by making it look like they are connecting from a different country.

So, where will TikTok users turn to next?

There are plenty of other social media platforms out there where users can create or watch short videos.

YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X have all introduced scrolling video features similar to TikTok's. However, many users feel that these competitors haven't quite mastered the recommendation algorithm that makes TikTok so appealing.

Transitioning a large audience from TikTok to another platform can be challenging, as different platforms have varying monetization schemes. This could pose challenges for creators who need to rebuild their businesses that were dependent on TikTok if they are required to switch to a different social network.

TikTok's strong focus on the For You page makes it much simpler for brands to connect with new audiences compared to other apps, according to TikTok creator and business owner Nadya Okamoto as reported by CNN.

She mentioned that TikTok users mainly watch content from creators they don't already follow. This presents a unique opportunity for businesses.

However, some TikTokkers seem to be getting ready for a potential ban. Some are trying to connect with their favorite creators on other platforms, while others are sharing "farewell" videos just in case the app is banned.

"If you earn money through social media, it's important to consider how to transition your audience away from relying solely on this platform. In a recent video, a creator known as "Business with Sab" who specializes in building a following on TikTok, raised the question: What if TikTok was suddenly banned? It's crucial to start thinking about alternative ways to connect with your followers, such as building an email list."

Editor's P/S:

The potential ban on TikTok in the US has sparked a mix of emotions among users and concerns about its impact on the social media landscape. While the bill has passed the House of Representatives, its future in the Senate remains uncertain, highlighting the political complexities surrounding the issue. The proposed legislation raises concerns about national security, yet users worry about losing a platform that has become integral to their daily lives.

The article delves into the challenges facing TikTok and its users if the ban becomes law. The app's valuation of $100 billion poses a significant hurdle in finding an American buyer willing to acquire it, and even if successful, transitioning TikTok's massive user base to another platform would be a daunting task. The article also emphasizes the importance of creators diversifying their revenue streams and considering alternative platforms to connect with their audience, underscoring the potential for a significant shift in the social media ecosystem.