This Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments from TikTok and ByteDance about the law Biden that could ban the app starting Jan. 19unless ByteDance divests its ownership. TikTok has asked the Supreme Court to halt the ban during the legal process, though the court has yet to act on the request.
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If the law is implemented, new users will not be able to download TikTok from app stores and existing users will not receive updates or maintenance, leading to potential usability issues, according to a Reuters of what would happen if the app was banned.
For 170 million users in the US, the ban presents significant challenges. While existing downloads will initially remain functional, the lack of updates could render the app obsolete over time.
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Some users have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to try to bypass potential restrictions, while content creators and businesses that depend on TikTok for their growth face uncertainty. Nadya Okamoto, a creator with over 4 million followers, expressed concerns about increased marketing costs if the app is banned, calling the situation stressful.
The ban also raises doubts about the future of the 7,000 TikTok employees based in the US, with fears of layoffs spreading among the staff. Nevertheless, TikTok is said to have continued hiring, leading to confusion among prospective employees who are experiencing uncertainty.
Advertisers are also weighing their options. TikTok's ad revenue is projected to reach $12.3 billion by 2024 , and its unique user engagement makes it a valuable platform.
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Meanwhile, talk has emerged of potential buyers, including billionaire Frank McCourt, who reportedly has secured $20 billion in verbal commitments to bid for TikTok if forced to divest. McCourt envisions a future for TikTok centered on open-source technology and innovative revenue models, though ByteDance has consistently said it cannot sell the app.
Source: phonearena
