The app which has gained the attention of several people worldwide is now facing troubles. TikTok is an app where people post fun videos, entertaining their audience. Many people even chose this as their career and became content creators. Yesterday, TikTok went through legislation that would require its Chinese owner to sell the video-sharing website or shut it down in the US to the US Supreme Court.
TikTok’s Rise
Its transition from just a video app to a social media sensation marked one of the more important turns in social entertainment since social media was born. From teenage dancers to grandmothers offering cooking advice, TikTok proved that even ordinary users can gain fame and become global celebrity status in an instant, making it easier for people to earn money and gain stardom. It gained even more attention during the Covid 19 lockdown. People made funny videos for timepass which went viral. Some even gained popularity overnight and now consider themselves celebrities.
It was originally developed by China in 2016. The tech company ByteDance named it Doyuin for the Chinese market. They internationally released it as TikTok in 2017 and it gained massive attention after collaborating with Musical.ly. It was a lip-syncing app.
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How did TikTok become a career option?
The secret that TikTok used was its growing algorithm. Other apps usually show you the content of the people you follow. However, TikTok’s for you page gave you the content based on what you like to watch, they observed and delivered the content that you might like. Now, Instagram is even doing the same. Nonetheless, it meant that even one video from an unknown person could reach millions of views. Initially, it only allowed to post videos up to 15 seconds but later increased it to 10 minutes. YouTube took inspiration from the app and made similar changes to their apps. The response from the audience was very positive and it gained wide attention.
The Influencers
TikTok had a signature feature which was its easy-to-use video creation, editing and sharing tool. Moreover, generation Z users quickly caught on, and then older generations spread it. Many older people also started creating videos, be it funny videos, self-help or cooking videos. The coronavirus pandemic successfully kept the world shut in its homes, craving entertainment and experience so the app gained even more popularity. TikTok had more than a billion active users around the world in 2021. Its creation has been downloaded over three billion times. It has become a marketing platform. Businesses are increasingly using TikTok to advertise, and creators or influencers can easily turn their content into money.
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Facing Challenges by the US
TikTok has already faced several clashes because of its Chinese ownership and trust issues. Governments have been cautious about the app as they closely monitor it. They are very much worried about their data privacy and the possible connection to the Chinese government. Several countries’ governments are worried that the Chinese government might be spying on them through the app. In 2020, India banned the app completely along with several other Chinese apps due to the concern of privacy. Furthermore, the first government of Donald Trump attempted to get TikTok to sell its US operations to American businesses. Trump urges the Supreme Court to postpone the deadline as he looks for a different solution, but TikTok still faces a January 19 deadline in the US to either renounce its Chinese ownership or be banned from app stores.
How could TikTok Avoid the ban?
Experts have told CBS News that TikTok can avoid the ban by taking several measures. Trump, being in power, could make a request to the authorities to refrain from enforcing the law or bringing legal action against internet firms who host TikTok in their app stores, such as Apple and Google. If the law is implemented, the app will not completely vanish, but users won’t be able to update it, and others won’t be able to download it. Chinese authorities might force ByteDance to hand over information about TikTok users in the United States or use the app to promote or censor content, according to officials. But TikTok told the judges that the government has no evidence that China has ever attempted to do so.
Conclusion
TikTok, the platform that is very famous for social media and content creation, is facing serious challenges in the US. Although the service has enabled many people to share their creativity, achieve fame and even establish careers, its Chinese ownership has raised serious questions about data privacy and national security. The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain, as the app deals with legislative scrutiny and potential bans.
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FAQ
1. Why is TikTok facing a Supreme Court hearing in the U.S.?
TikTok is facing scrutiny due to concerns over its Chinese ownership and potential threats to data privacy and national security.
2. What has made TikTok so popular?
TikTok’s success lies in its unique algorithm, user-friendly video editing tools, and its ability to surface content that resonates with individual users, even from unknown creators.
3. How has TikTok impacted social media?
TikTok’s rise has inspired other platforms, like Instagram (Reels) and YouTube (Shorts), to introduce similar features, revolutionizing how short-form content is consumed and created.
