While the American ban on TikTok is on hold for 75 days beginning January 20, 2025, the European Commission is scrutinising the platform’s data protection practices, advertising transparency and potential addictive design features, particularly concerning young users.
In Africa, TikTok usage remains high, particularly in Kenya, where adoption is among the highest on the continent. However, some African governments have restricted or completely banned the app due to concerns over inappropriate content and political misuse.
In Europe, TikTok restrictions mainly apply to government employee devices due to security concerns. In contrast, in Africa, some governments have gone further by banning TikTok outright, citing its potential for spreading harmful content, disinformation and political rhetoric. Despite these concerns, many African creators continue to use the platform to showcase their culture, creativity, and businesses, making it a vital tool for digital expression.
If the U.S. ban on TikTok is upheld, several consequences could unfold, including:
App Store Removal: TikTok could be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores, making it unavailable for new downloads.
Lack of Updates: Users may be unable to update the app, leading to performance issues and security vulnerabilities.
Functionality Decline: Without updates, TikTok could eventually become unusable.
Data Security Concerns: The ban could raise questions about whether user data will be retained or deleted.
Geopolitical Consequences: The U.S. government’s actions could fuel tensions with China, as critics argue that the ban targets a single company unfairly.
Impact on Free Speech: The ban could be seen as a restriction on digital expression, signalling a shift towards fragmented online experiences based on national policies.
As TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, discussions around a potential American takeover of the platform are gaining traction.
Several individuals and companies have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. Notably, former President Donald Trump recently endorsed two tech moguls: Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX) and Larry Ellison (co-founder of Oracle).
Oracle already plays a key role in storing TikTok’s U.S. user data, making it a strong contender for an acquisition deal.
With the 75-day window in place, negotiations are underway to find a buyer that satisfies both the U.S. government and TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Bill Ford, CEO of General Atlantic and a board member of ByteDance, recently expressed optimism about securing a deal. Speaking at Davos, Switzerland, Ford stated:
“It’s in everybody’s interest. We’ll get on with it as soon as possible – maybe by the end of the week – negotiating what might work. The Chinese government, the U.S. government, the company and the board all have to be involved in this conversation.”
Trump’s executive order temporarily paused enforcement of the bipartisan law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets by mid-January 2025 to prevent an outright ban. The law was introduced due to national security concerns, with U.S. officials fearing that the Chinese government could access Americans’ personal information through TikTok.
For a brief period, TikTok was removed from app stores, catching users off guard. Although the law did not mandate an immediate shutdown, the app became unavailable for new downloads, while existing users could still access their content.
Tech giants Apple and Google were forced to comply with the ruling, removing TikTok and other ByteDance-owned apps from their platforms.
If ByteDance fails to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, penalties could be immense for tech companies aiding its accessibility. Under federal law, businesses could face $5,000 fines per user they help access TikTok.
With 170 million American users, this translates to potential fines of up to $850 billion, distributed among Google, Apple, Oracle, and other tech firms. Even for these industry giants, such penalties would be severe.
The Apple App Store specifically listed the following TikTok-related apps that would be affected by the ban as TikTok, TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller Centre, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark – Team Collaboration and Lark – Rooms Display & Controller.
While existing users can keep these apps, they will not receive updates, redownload options, or in-app purchases.
If TikTok is banned, alternative platforms may seek to fill the void. Apps like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and Triller offer similar features but differ slightly:
Reels allow 90-second videos.
Shorts limit videos to 60 seconds.
Triller supports 3-minute videos and includes advanced editing tools.
For content creators seeking enhanced creative control, Triller and Movavi Video Editor provide more flexibility, allowing users to fine-tune audio, transitions and effects.
Before the Supreme Court ruling, attorneys for TikTok and content creators argued before a federal appeals court in Washington that the law violates the First Amendment by unfairly targeting a single company.
Andrew Pincus, a veteran attorney representing TikTok, claimed that the law is unconstitutional because TikTok’s U.S. arm is an American entity. A second attorney, representing content creators, argued that the law restricts free speech similarly to banning Americans from publishing on foreign-owned media outlets like Al Jazeera or Spotify.
As the legal battle unfolds in the U.S., Nigerian content creators may be among the first to suffer unintended consequences.
Already, Meta Group – the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – has deleted over 1,600 Nigerian accounts for alleged involvement in online fraud (Yahoo Boys).
This raises concerns that platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram may impose stricter moderation policies, affecting legitimate Nigerian content creators who rely on these platforms for income and audience engagement.
The TikTok saga is far from over. With a 75-day negotiation window, all eyes remain on ByteDance, U.S. regulators and potential buyers. If a deal is not reached, the impact will ripple across the tech industry, affecting corporations, content creators and international relations.
For now, African and global users continue to monitor developments closely, hoping for a resolution that balances security concerns with digital freedom.
As the U.S. and other governments tighten control over digital spaces, content creators may need to diversify platforms and prepare for an increasingly fragmented online landscape.
