The TikTok ban in the USA has become a reality from Sunday, January 19, after the Supreme Court rejected the company's final appeal against a federal law requiring the sale of the platform to an American buyer. This decision directly affects over 170 million American users, the platform's future, and how other governments might adopt similar measures to regulate foreign tech companies, inspired by the American example.
A rarely clarified aspect is that the sale will not directly affect the platform's activity in other regions. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, the China-based parent company that manages the platform's global operations. Selling TikTok's US operations to an American company would create an independent entity for the US market, while ByteDance would remain the owner of operations in other regions of the world.
In short, if TikTok's US operations are sold to an American company, it does not mean that Americans will control TikTok in other parts of the world. For example, the sale would have no effect in Romania.
Another rarely discussed topic is that ByteDance's shareholders include American and United Arab Emirates investment funds, not just entities from China.

Why is TikTok Banned in the USA?
The ban is rooted in national security concerns. US officials argue that the ties between ByteDance and the Chinese government could pose a risk, with user data being vulnerable to unauthorized access. Although TikTok has categorically denied these accusations, data protection fears have led to the requirement for ByteDance to sell its US operations.
The US Supreme Court rejected TikTok's appeal under the “International Emergency Economic Powers Act” (IEEPA), which allows the government to ban the app in the US if its operations are not sold to an American buyer. The decision is based on national security concerns, without delving into issues like freedom of speech.
Why Now?
The dispute over banning TikTok in the USA is not new. As early as 2020, the Trump administration demanded the sale of the app to an American company. This process was not completed, and now legal pressure has returned to the forefront. The Supreme Court ruled that the measure does not violate freedom of speech, leaving TikTok with two options: selling its US operations or a total ban.
President Joe Biden stated that enforcing the ban would be up to the Trump administration, which is set to take office on January 20. Donald Trump has said he will make a decision “in the near future,” leaving the app's fate in uncertainty.
What Does the Ban Mean Technically?
If TikTok is effectively banned, it would involve three clear aspects. Access to its services could be restricted by removing the app from major digital stores (App Store and Google Play) and discontinuing technical support for US hosting infrastructure. The app would become inaccessible to US users, without affecting servers and operations in other regions. Another consequence would be stopping updates, leaving existing users with an outdated and vulnerable app.
There are solutions to these issues: using a VPN and downloading the app from independent markets like APKPure, F-Droid, Aptoide, Uptodown, Aurora Store. These solutions are not simple and involve costs and security risks. These options might be used mainly by advanced users but are not a universal solution. For example, using a good VPN requires a subscription, and downloading apps from third-party sources can expose users to modified apps or malware.
Economic Impact of the Ban
The TikTok ban in the USA affects not only users but also the digital economy. The app is an important platform for content creators and brands promoting their products. Ross Smith, a content creator from Ohio who runs the TikTok account @rosssmith, where he posts comedy videos with his 98-year-old grandmother, stated, “Imagine going to work and your office building just disappeared.”
According to an Oxford Economics report, in 2023, TikTok's use by small and medium-sized businesses in the US generated nearly $15 billion in revenue, contributing $24.2 billion to the US GDP and supporting approximately 224,000 jobs.
What Next for TikTok in the USA?
The app's fate is uncertain. ByteDance must find a government-approved buyer for its US operations to avoid the ban. Recently, Elon Musk's name has been mentioned as a potential buyer. Without a quick solution, users and creators must prepare for losing access to TikTok. Some have already turned to the Chinese app RedNote, which is ironic in this context. What could stop Americans from banning RedNote if it becomes successful?