TikTok has been a top choice for promoting affordable but high-impulse purchases. In addition to its extensive popularity among the younger generations, features like TikTok Live and TikTok Shop add a commercial dimension to it.
For instance, it allows creators to connect with consumers in real time to answer questions and dive deeper into products or services.
There’s no doubt that TikTok is a users’ favorite and many businesses benefit from it. But how have the current bans and lawsuits in the US impacted the platform and its users?
In this article, we’ll explore questions like: Is TikTok banned in the US? Why is the platform getting banned, and what could come next?
Let’s start with the main issue: The legal conflict between the US government and TikTok.
Is TikTok banned in the US? Here’s what happened in the past weeks
TikTok was preparing to shut down its US operations on January 17, 2025. At this point, about 170 million TikTok advertisers and users in the United States were wondering what had happened and how it would all turn out.
A ban was set to happen unless there was a last-minute change; and a last-minute change did happen. According to The Washington Post, then President-elect Donald Trump was considering issuing an executive order to delay the shutdown for 60 to 90 days.
Before going any further into the story, let’s see what started all this.
Why is TikTok getting banned in the US?
TikTok is still facing a potential ban in the US and this is mostly due to concerns about national security and user privacy. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China. Lawmakers and regulators worry that the platform could be forced to share sensitive user data, like location information, with the Chinese government.
These concerns stem from Chinese laws that push companies to cooperate with intelligence operations when there’s a request for it. Another dimension to this is the concern about TikTok’s ability to manipulate content, spread misinformation, or influence public opinion.
To address these concerns, the US came up with a two-way solution. It passed legislation asking ByteDance to sell TikTok to a (US) government-approved buyer or face a ban. The ban would target app stores like Apple and Google. This would prevent these tech giants from distributing or updating TikTok.
TikTok has denied these allegations and tried to distance itself from ByteDance. At the same time, it has failed to overturn the law in court. Now, there’s a legal and political battle over TikTok.
When will TikTok be banned in the US?
TikTok is not banned in the US, yet! The app briefly went offline in the US prior to the US president’s intervention. However, it was quickly restored with a message thanking him for his efforts.
The platform was scheduled to face a US ban on January 17, 2025, after a Supreme Court ruling. However, there’s currently an executive order granting a 75-day extension to the company. This pauses everything regarding the ban and gives ByteDance additional time to;
- Either sell TikTok
- Or, restructure its operations to meet US requirements.
The situation remains fluid. Tons of discussions are taking place around the potential sale to US-based investors or tech companies like Oracle, Elon Musk, or other high-profile buyers.
Can I download even if TikTok is banned in the US?
Users who want to download TikTok for the first time, or are looking to reinstall it after deleting it, are finding it blocked. This has been happening on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
According to USA TODAY, Google and Apple might be holding off until they have additional protections in place before bypassing the ban.
- Android users searching for TikTok on Google Play see an unclickable TikTok logo with the message, “Looking for TikTok?”
- iPhone users get a notice stating, “TikTok and other ByteDance apps are not available in the country or region you’re in.”
What happens if TikTok is banned in the US: TikTok-less businesses
Banning or restricting apps like TikTok could shrink options for users and cut down competition in the social media world. This might end up giving US-based companies like Meta or Google an advantage.
If banned definitively, businesses that have counted on TikTok for advertising and sales so far could be in a difficult spot. This might leave users without a platform they love, and change how they interact online and even how the market flows.
TikTok has become a means for cultural expressions: A tool that has reshaped how a generation interacts, consumes content, and even builds careers.
With about two out of three users under 34, TikTok is where Gen Z and Millennials create, share, and participate in online culture. A ban would disturb an ecosystem where millions of users, creators, and businesses thrive.
Here’s what happens if TikTok is banned in the US for each group:
For users
Banning TikTok in the US might be the cause of digital displacement for millions of users. They lose a platform that has become a hub for expression, community building, and activism. Younger generations would be forced to migrate to other platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or even newer spaces.
For creators
TikTok gave anyone the chance to go viral overnight. Without TikTok, these creators may face a series of challenges when rebuilding their audiences on other platforms. Creators may face issues since discoverability on other platforms is often more limited.
For businesses
Businesses that rely on TikTok for advertising and sales are the ones who will face the most significant hurdles. TikTok has been a game-changer for small businesses. It has always offered a cost-effective way to reach younger audiences.
A ban would force businesses to reallocate their advertising budgets to other providers. These platforms may be more expensive and less effective at targeting Gen Z consumers.
Influencer marketing, e-commerce, and even music and entertainment are dependent on TikTok. A ban could also damage these ecosystems and slow down their momentum.
LeadsBridge as an official TikTok partner
As an official TikTok Partner, LeadsBridge is dedicated to supporting businesses with integrations for TikTok Ads. Meanwhile, we will keep you updated with any developments.
While TikTok remains an incredible platform for advertising, the best course of action is perhaps to diversify. In general, multi-channel strategy allows you to place your marketing offers in front of a wider audience.
If you’re considering alternative platforms, Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Google Ads are excellent options. LeadsBridge provides seamless integrations for these platforms. These data bridges allow businesses to automate data syncing, streamline ad targeting, optimize campaign performance, and more.
Explore LeadsBridge integrations you can use to empower your advertising strategies across multiple platforms, and future-proof your campaigns!
Final thoughts
While a ban would remove TikTok from the market, it wouldn’t erase the behaviors or communities it created. Users would migrate to other platforms. However, those spaces might not replicate TikTok’s creative content or advertising accessibility.
Of course, it’s unclear how these events will turn out. So like many other TikTok enthusiasts, we keep our eyes open for the return of a platform that changed the digital landscape.
Discover all the integrations for TikTok lead management here.
