When is TikTok Shutting Down? Why is TikTok Shutting Down?
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Updated Jul 13, 2024
When is TikTok Shutting Down?
TikTok will shut down in the U.S. on January 19, 2025, unless ByteDance sells its interest in the app. If ByteDance is actively negotiating a sale, the U.S. president can extend the deadline by 90 days. This would make the new deadline April 19, 2025. The law gives ByteDance 270 days to make the sale before the ban takes effect. The extension is a one-time option based on the progress of the sale.
Why is TikTok Shutting Down?
TikTok is shutting down in the U.S. because a new law requires ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to sell its interest in the app. If ByteDance doesn't do this, TikTok will be banned nationwide. This law was part of a larger emergency aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which the Senate passed recently.
American lawmakers are worried that the Chinese government could use TikTok to spy on U.S. citizens, including military and government personnel. China, along with North Korea, Russia, and Iran, is considered a "foreign adversary" by the U.S. government. They believe Chinese companies like ByteDance must prioritize the Chinese government's interests over those of their customers or shareholders, which poses a security risk.
What are the Alternatives of TikTok?
If TikTok shuts down, creators will need to switch to other social media platforms to engage with their audience and generate income. Some good alternatives include Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other emerging platforms that offer short-form video content.
Moving to these new platforms will require creators to adapt to different features and rebuild their follower base. Since TikTok has its own unique style and culture, influencers and brands will need to rethink their content strategies to fit the preferences and habits of audiences on these alternative platforms.
TikTok
TikTok is a popular short-form video app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, similar to its counterpart Douyin in China. Users can upload videos ranging from three seconds to 60 minutes and access the app on smartphones. Since launching, TikTok has gained over two billion downloads and is especially popular among younger users. It uses recommendation algorithms to help creators reach new audiences. Despite its popularity, TikTok faces concerns about data privacy, mental health, and misinformation. Some countries have fined or banned the app due to fears about user data being collected by the Chinese government.
