After a less than 24-hour ban was enacted across the U.S. on the TikTok platform, many users are relieved to return to the popular app. However, others question the reason for the short-term ban.
TikTok’s return
On the evening of Jan. 18, TikTok, a popular social media app with over 17 million U.S. users, was banned across the nation. The ban was implemented after much discourse over the app posing as a national security threat.
To much surprise, the ban was lifted on Jan. 19, not even one day after being enacted. The app welcomed users back, thanking users for patience and support, while crediting the ban being lifted to President Trump.
“As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” the app read.
The news came as a surprise due to the short amount of time users had to adjust to the ban. Many held differing opinions on the decision to remove the China-owned social media source, like Wright State University student Amy Kingile.
“I knew that TikTok made me really unproductive, so I thought it’s probably best. But, obviously, it’s a great app,” Kingile said.
The return to the U.S. occurred the day prior to Trump’s Inauguration, on Jan. 20. The president signed an executive order to delay the banning of TikTok by 75 days, giving the courts more time to decide what proper action needs to be taken.
Delayal of TikTok’s departure was shocking to many users, as the president had previously expressed much opposition to the Chinese app due to concerns of data leakage in 2020.
“In August 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order finding that “the spread in the United States of mo-bile applications developed and owned by companies in [China] continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,’” 24-656 TikTok Inc. v. Garland stated.
Trump's efforts over the past several years to ban the app has taken a complete 180, as the country’s leader is now pushing to keep the platform in the states. The change in attitude towards the app has led individuals, like student Josh Patel, to question Trump’s intentions.
“I think it shows a lot about Trump. I mean, in Aug. 2020 he was the one that started the ban, or at least proposed it, and he had an executive order on it,” Patel said.
With the app’s return to the U.S. for an extended period of time, the next step to solidifying the future of TikTik relies on interested parties and money.
The future of TikTok
The future of TikTok is dependent on securing a new owner, which has caught the attention of many big-name wealthy billionaires with differing intentions.
Elon Musk remains the most familiar and Trump-endorsed name that is interested in purchasing the platform. Other billionaires including Mr. Beast, social media content creator, and Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder, have shown interest.
The main goal of the TikTik purchase shared amongst these wealthy names is to ensure that the app would return with the U.S., eliminating the possibility of data leaks.
Others, like Mr. Beast, have expressed interest in purchasing TikTokfor the sole purpose so that the app does not get banned.
The quick departure and return of TikTok to U.S. users has been an event leaving individuals questioning the app’s future, which is reliant on the intentions of decision-making officials.
Your Clue for Today:
I heard Rowdy talk about trying to find a good place to listen to his favorite song. Maybe he’s somewhere around there?
