Students are no strangers to the world of social media, and TikTok has been one of the most popular platforms among their generation. However, the app’s fate has been a topic of controversy in recent months. Most recently, TikTok was banned, but then brought back. Many are asking themselves why and questioning what this all means. For now, it is all a reel of events.
It all began in August 2020, when President Trump issued an executive order that would have forced ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell its US operations. The order cited national security concerns, alleging that the app was collecting data on American users that could be accessed by the Chinese Communist Party.
As a result, the US Department of Commerce announced that it would ban TikTok from US app stores, effective September 20, 2020. The news sent shockwaves through the TikTok community, with many users expressing outrage and disappointment on social media.
However, in a surprise twist, a federal judge blocked the ban just hours before it was set to take effect. The judge ruled that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority in issuing the ban, and that TikTok had not been given sufficient notice or opportunity to respond. In addition, many believe the banning of TikTok violates the First Amendment.
Fast forward to January 2021, when the Biden administration announced that it would review the Trump administration’s actions regarding TikTok. In June 2021, the Biden administration officially revoked the executive order that had led to the ban.
Politicians like Trump and Kamala Harris joined the app in 2024, due to how popular it was and to gain the hearts of American citizens before the election.
Yet, as of this past December, a federal appeals court panel upheld a law that led to the TikTok ban. While President Trump had asked the Supreme Court to pause the ban, the law was inevitably upheld and users were no longer able to access the app around 10:30 p.m. (ET) on Jan. 18.
It’s no surprise that TikTok was banned, but not even a day later it became accessible again.
Being home to over 170 million users and 7 million small businesses, this reversal is able to keep roofs over peoples heads and food on the table.
TikTok’s message to users says, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”
As students, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments in the world of social media. The TikTok saga serves as a reminder that the online world is constantly evolving, and that even the most popular apps can be subject to change.
Many Americans hope it’s back to business as usual on TikTok, but nothing is ever certain in the world of politics.
