TikTok Ban Update – January 20th, 2025

TikTok has made a sudden comeback in the U.S., but many users—creators, influencers, and brands—are hesitant to trust its stability. After months of legal battles and a temporary U.S. ban, the app is accessible again. However, the disruption has shaken user confidence, with doubts about whether TikTok can maintain its presence long-term.

During TikTok’s impending absence, alternative platforms have gained traction. RedNote, once a niche app, is now surging in popularity. Meanwhile, Douyin—the Chinese version of TikTok—has reopened access to international users for the first time since 2022.

Why the Skepticism?

For creators and marketers, TikTok’s abrupt exit and return have highlighted the risks of relying too heavily on a single platform. Many have started building audiences on emerging apps like RedNote or diversifying their strategies across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other platforms.

This shift signals a broader trend: users and brands are prioritizing stability and reliability in their digital strategies. RedNote’s growth and Douyin’s reopening offer alternatives, but these platforms also face scrutiny over user data and long-term viability.

The Road Ahead for TikTok Users

TikTok’s return is far from a triumphant comeback. It faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with its community while fending off stiff competition. For creators, influencers, and businesses, this moment is a reminder to stay adaptable and avoid overdependence on any single platform.

As the landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the future of social media is increasingly fragmented, with new opportunities—and risks—emerging at every turn.

TikTok Banned on January 19th, 2025

As of January 19, TikTok is officially banned in the United States, leaving millions of users without access to the app. The ban, driven by national security concerns over ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government, took a sudden turn when TikTok began logging users out late on January 18—just hours before the Supreme Court’s midnight deadline.

U.S. users attempting to access the app are now met with a message from TikTok:

Important update from TikTok

We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.

We’re working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.

This abrupt move hasn’t just impacted users in the U.S. Reports from Canada and Mexico suggest that TikTok’s North American servers are experiencing disruptions, leaving some users in those countries unable to access the app.

What’s Next for TikTok?

While the app has gone dark in the U.S., this may not be the end of the road for TikTok. There’s still a chance the ban could be overturned or that ByteDance could negotiate a sale of its U.S. operations to a domestic company. Legal experts and TikTok’s team continue to argue that banning the app violates First Amendment protections and that the move is an overreach by the U.S. government.

In the meantime, the ban is forcing both creators and businesses to pivot. Many users have begun flocking to alternative platforms, with RedNote emerging as a popular choice. Creators are scrambling to rebuild their audiences, while brands are reassessing their marketing strategies to avoid over-reliance on a single platform.

What Does This Mean for You?

For the 170+ million Americans who used TikTok to create, connect, and entertain, the loss of the platform is significant. Businesses, creators, influencers, and marketers relying on TikTok for growth are now feeling the pressure to diversify their strategies.

As the story continues to develop, it’s clear that TikTok’s future in the U.S. is hanging by a thread. Whether it’s through legal battles or a last-minute acquisition, the platform’s next chapter is one to watch closely. For now, the question remains: Is this truly the end for TikTok in America?

The Legal Battle at a Glance

The controversy revolves around a law passed in April, which cites national security risks due to ByteDance’s alleged ties to the Chinese government. U.S. officials claim TikTok could be used for spying or spreading propaganda. TikTok denies these allegations, insisting that user data is safe and not shared with Chinese authorities.

Earlier this month, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, rejecting TikTok’s argument that it violates free speech protections under the First Amendment. Now, TikTok is taking its case to the Supreme Court, arguing that banning the app would be government overreach.

“If Americans, fully informed of the risks, choose to continue using TikTok, the First Amendment protects their choice,” the company stated in its filing.

What Happens If the Ban Goes Through?

If the ban isn’t blocked, TikTok won’t disappear from users’ devices overnight. Instead, the app will be removed from app stores, making new downloads and updates unavailable. Over time, the lack of updates could make TikTok unusable. The platform estimates losing up to a third of its U.S. users within a month, which would hurt its ad revenue, creators’ incomes, and partnerships with brands.

For creators, this could mean losing a major platform for growing their audiences and earning a living. Businesses relying on TikTok for marketing might need to scramble to adjust their strategies, highlighting the importance of diversifying across platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

What’s Next?

The Supreme Court is expected to decide on TikTok’s appeal by January 6. If the appeal is denied, ByteDance would need to start preparing for a shutdown in the U.S. unless it negotiates a sale or extension. The law does allow for a 90-day delay if ByteDance shows progress toward divesting its U.S. operations.

What Does This Mean for Marketers?

With TikTok’s future up in the air, creators and marketers should start planning for the possibility of losing the platform. Now’s the time to diversify your content strategy. Expand your presence to other platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and any up-and-coming apps to ensure you’re not overly dependent on one channel.

For now, we’re all waiting to see how this high-stakes battle plays out. Stay informed, and be ready to pivot your strategy if necessary.

TikTok Ban Update – July 2024

Odds are that you have heard the words TikTok ban within the last few months. This is because a bill including the deadline of TikTok’s parent company known as Bytedance to pass on their power to a United States company within 9 months or experience a ban in the U.S. 

The reason for this ban is that many had concerns about the Chinese government being able to access user’s private information through the app. 

This bill was passed through the House of Representatives as well as the Senate which brings us up to speed to today where it has now landed on President Joe Bidens desk. This seems like a done deal, due to the fact that President Biden already said that he would sign the bill. 

What will Happen Next? 

Congress passed the bill that President Biden signed into law to ban TikTok in the United States. Instead of the initial bill that stated ByteDance only has 6 months to choose to divest the company or ban the app in the U.S., they now have 9 months. On top of this, the President will have the option to add one 90-day extension to that deadline. 

After this time is out, ByteDance can choose to sell or choose to be banned entirely in the United States. 

The CEO of TikTok came out with a video to explain his side of things. See below for his video response: 

Our CEO Shou Chew’s response to the TikTok ban: pic.twitter.com/l0RAPJMobK

— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) April 24, 2024

TikTok Fights Back Against US Sell-Off Push

MOST RECENT UPDATE: TikTok has filed an official motion to oppose the US government’s efforts to force the company to sell off its US operations. The motion argues that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) exceeded its authority and that the move would cause “irreparable harm” to the company and its users. This latest development comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and China over tech and security concerns.

Roughly 170 million people in the United States use TikTok.This number equates to half of the U.S. population. That is a huge number who will no longer be able to create, learn, inspire, and be entertained by the app if this ban occurs. 

Do we believe that TikTok poses a threat to our information? Do you believe this ban is valid? What do you think about this very interesting and pressing news? 

Let us know! 

Gretchen Oestreicher , 20 January 2025