Press enter or return to search.

Opinion & Editorial

TikTok: What Lies Ahead for Creators and Users

Flickr

Since last week, new developments involving TikTok’s future in the U.S. have arisen. After the 12-hour shutdown on Sunday, January 19, the 75 day temporary extension is currently underway. Attention has turned to potential buyers who could tsecure the app’s future for its 170 million American users.

Surfaced as possible buyers include billionaires Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary, their goal to prioritize user privacy and build a more transparent platform by remaking the algorithm domestically.

Rumors that Elon Musk might be involved are also afoot. Some reports suggest the Chinese government is open to selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to a figure trusted by both U.S. and Chinese leaders, with Musk fitting this criteria. But TikTok has denied these claims, leaving this possibility inconclusive.

Oracle has also emerged as a potential buyer yet in a partnership with Microsoft and other investors, all of whom could oversee the app’s algorithm and data to address national security concerns. ByteDance would still retain a minority stake under this deal, ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations while keeping some of the app’s original structure.

ByteDance CEO, Bill Ford, hinted at the possibility of reaching a deal to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. without an outright sale. He also criticized President Biden for not opening up negotiations regarding TikTok’s ownership. In addition, the Chinese government, once completely unwilling to do a forced sale, now seems more willing to negotiate.

TikTok’s users and creators? In limbo. TikTok is still unavailable in the app store. Now, used iPhones with TikTok pre-installed are selling for thousands of dollars online, showing just how much people value the app.

This story is far from over. With an April 5 deadline looming to either secure a deal or face a ban, it is clear that TikTok’s fate will have a lasting impact on creators, users, and the tech industry world-wide.

Author

Comments are closed.