"This is not an attempt to ban TikTok. It's an attempt to make TikTok better. Tic-Tac-Toe. A winner. A winner.” - Nancy Pelosi
I’m not freaking out about the recent congressional ban on TikTok. Content Creators on the platform rallied when the recent congressional action occurred. They will not let TikTok go down without a fight. I’m a TikTok user and I’m embarrassed to say that I’m addicted to it. It’s the most entertaining social media platform and the more you use it the better the algorithm caters to your interests. My TV consumption and overall media diet has changed drastically the past year. I’m currently traveling a ton and TikTok is the best way for me to stay on top of everything happening in media. I use it to stay up to date on all news. I can’t stand to watch cable TV anymore. ESPN is trash. Don’t event get started on all of the cable news channels covering politics. I'd rather digest 30 seconds of it on TikTok so I’m up to date but not entirely binging on every hot take the hacks yap about 24-7. I have my concerns about China and data privacy but I also don’t trust USA’s Big Tech monopolies either. I do think this will get worked out in forced sale to a US buyer. TikTok is too valuable to go completely in the trash bin forever. A lot of this stuff is political theater. Don’t forget that DC is Hollywood for ugly people. They’re all actors on a larger stage. I’m going to lay out what I see is ahead for TikTok and the government’s next steps.
The future of TikTok in the United States following a congressional ban would depend on several factors, including how the ban is implemented, any legal challenges, and TikTok's response. Here are some potential scenarios:
Forced Sale: Everyone from Wall Street to Silicon Valley is salivating for this opportunity. My best prediction is this what will happen in the end. Money talks.
Adaptation and Compliance: If TikTok can address the concerns raised by Congress and comply with regulations, it may continue operating in the U.S. with some adjustments to its operations and content moderation policies. The Senate is currently holding things up. I smell a forced sell ahead.
Legal Challenges: TikTok might challenge the ban in court, arguing that it infringes on free speech or other legal rights. The outcome of such challenges would significantly impact TikTok's future in the U.S.
Shift in User Base: A congressional ban could lead to a shift in TikTok's user base, with users in the U.S. turning to alternative platforms. This could affect TikTok's popularity and revenue in the country. This will benefit YouTube and Meta platforms.
Global Impact: TikTok is a global platform, so a ban in the U.S. would not necessarily mean its demise. It could continue to thrive in other markets, potentially focusing more on regions where it faces fewer regulatory challenges. The focus will be on the European Union for TikTok.
Innovation and Diversification: Facing regulatory pressure could also spur TikTok to innovate and diversify its offerings, such as expanding into new content formats or developing features that address privacy and security concerns. Money talks and talks.
Overall, the future of TikTok in the U.S. post-congressional ban would be influenced by legal, regulatory, and market dynamics, as well as TikTok's own strategic decisions and responses. I do believe they’ll eventually be sold off to buyer in the US and changes to the platform will occur. I don’t have an exact prediction of when it will happen but I do believe there’s behind-the-scenes talks at this time from big tech and media investors clamoring at this opportunity. I think this will be resolved by this summer
.