From TikTok’s fame to the possibility of being banned, the app has stolen the spotlight in more ways than one. 

TikTok quickly gained popularity after its release in the United States. Currently, there are an estimated 80 million active users in the U.S, according to wallaroomedia.com. It gave a platform to many users of varying ages like Charli D’Amelio, Mr. Hamilton, and Addison Rae.

On August 5, President Donald Trump issued executive orders to ban TikTok and another Chinese-owned app, WeChat, from the United States’ market. The government was concerned that WeChat and TikTok are gathering American information and data, that the data could be used for blackmail or espionage. These orders were put in place due to national security concerns. 

The orders stated that in 45 days, American companies will not be able to advertise, offer licensing agreements, or have the apps available for download from app stores. If the ban were to occur, the app would no longer function properly or have the software, making it tedious and unmanageable for its American users. 

Before the executive orders were placed, TikTok released a new program. On July 22, the application announced that they would be releasing a program to support their influencers. The fund was going to release the money later in the year, which is just another way for content creators to make an income, according to CNN.  American creators who benefit from the fund will not gain as much of an income if the ban was to be passed. Their platform will not be as large due to the limited outreach the ban would have been able to cause. 

ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, challenged President Trump’s executive order. They filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration, which was filed through the U.S District Court in California due to it being the closest court to the TikTok branch in America. The company is deeming President Trump’s actions as unconstitutional for not allowing them to respond. On September 27 a federal judge in Washington granted a preliminary injunction, lifting the ban, according to a Washington Post article. 

On September 19, it was announced that Oracle, an American based computer technology cooperation, and Walmart will be partnering together with TikTok. As a part of the presidentially approved deal, TikTok will be creating a new company called TikTok Global. The new company, according to a September 19 article at Oracle.com, will be providing all of the usual TikTok services to its United States users. TikTok Global will be primarily owned by American investors and will be based in the U.S. If put into place, the ban could significantly impact larger creators on the platform, altering their views, and even how they make a living.