TikTok, a popular video-sharing app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is facing a potential ban in the United States after Congress approved a measure that requires ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations within a specific timeframe. The previous attempts to ban TikTok, initiated by former President Donald Trump, have now culminated in this legislation that is awaiting President Biden's signature.
While the ban could eventually lead to TikTok's removal from Apple and Google's app stores, it is unlikely to immediately disappear from users' phones. However, without access to app updates, security patches, and bug fixes, users may face usability issues and potential security risks over time.
Despite the looming ban, tech-savvy users may try workarounds to continue using TikTok, such as using VPNs, alternative app stores, or foreign SIM cards. Meanwhile, the ban's effectiveness heavily relies on Apple and Google restricting TikTok from their app stores, potentially impacting the control these tech giants have over app distribution and raising questions about the efficacy of such measures in the broader landscape of tech regulation.