In 2020, Russia decided to launch an attack on Ukraine and shut down some Western-style social networks, including Instagram. This move left young Russian influencers without employment and facing poverty as they struggled to find alternatives to their reliance on luxury brands and millions of followers. The situation mirrored what could potentially happen to Western TikTokers if the app is forced to separate from its Chinese parent company following a bill signed by US President Joe Biden.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, now has nine months to sell the platform or face a nationwide ban in the US. The extended deadline can be further extended by 90 days once, but ultimately, TikTok may have to be sold. The Chinese government has expressed opposition to a forced sale of the app, citing national security concerns over Chinese ownership. Arguments have been made about potential data privacy issues and propaganda concerns related to the Chinese government.
The possibility of TikTok being banned has been a topic of discussion in the US for years. Former President Trump initially announced plans to ban the app in 2020 but later backtracked. With TikTok’s immense popularity and cultural influence, its potential ban could have significant implications on the social media landscape. Alternative platforms like YouTube and Meta have tried to replicate TikTok’s features, but the unique appeal of TikTok may be hard to replace.
While larger creators may be able to transition to other platforms, smaller accounts that rely on TikTok’s recommendation algorithm could struggle to maintain their audience elsewhere. The looming threat of a TikTok ban has spurred experimentation with other platforms, leading to shifts in content creation across social media. The outcome of the TikTok ban debate will likely have lasting effects on the social media industry.
In conclusion, when Russia attacked Ukraine and shut down some Western-style social networks including Instagram in 2020, young Russian influencers faced unemployment and poverty due to their reliance on luxury brands and millions of followers. This situation mirrors what could potentially happen if ByteDance is forced