Americans are grappling with an uncomfortable reality when confronting criticism about social inequality compared to China. Although the TikTok ban may seem like a victory for the United States, the situation is more complex. Unfounded lawsuits have gained political relevance in a Congress determined to confront China.
The conclusion came with a law that mandated ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. company by January 2025 or face a ban. Beyond national security, economic aspects also influence this decision. The ambiguous relationship with TikTok includes indirect support for a political campaign, connecting with young voters who are crucial in an election.
Since 2020, TikTok has been under scrutiny in Washington. The platform's closure, backed by the Supreme Court, has left users searching for alternatives. TikTok's unique algorithm allowed small businesses to reach large audiences without big budgets. However, discontent is growing among users, and their migration to other platforms suggests that the matter is far from over.
The future of TikTok in the United States depends on decisions that need to be made soon. The official concerns over national security center on the potential use of American user data by a Chinese company. Meanwhile, the shutdown of TikTok has created an impact on both large companies and content creators and small businesses that depended on its algorithm.
The massive migration to other platforms has been observed worldwide, with interactions between Chinese and Americans on social media. Some have opted for platforms like Instagram or YouTube Shorts, while others have migrated to RedNote, an app similar to TikTok. Ironically, many Americans have downloaded RedNote, even though it is in Mandarin Chinese, as a form of protest against their government.
The impact of TikTok's exit goes beyond businesses; it also affects content creators and small businesses. For technology companies, the exit represents an opportunity and a reminder of the importance of user trust. In the political arena, the extension of this situation still holds uncertainty and could go beyond what has been seen so far.
