Emmanuel OchayiWith the possibility of a TikTok ban looming, millions of users are asking: “What will happen to TikTok on my phone?” As the situation unfolds, experts are shedding light on the potential impacts, offering insights into how the app may function after a ban, and how users can still access it.
How the TikTok Ban Could Affect Your Phone
The potential ban of TikTok, led by the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, could affect how users access the app. If the law is upheld, it would target third-party companies that support TikTok, such as app stores and hosting providers, creating a significant barrier for both new and existing users. Under this law, major app stores like Google and Apple would no longer allow new users to download TikTok, nor would they be able to update the app.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelExperts say that without these updates, TikTok could experience issues like video-loading delays, glitches, and even a gradual decline in performance. According to Qi Liao, a computer science professor at Central Michigan University, “If the app were not able to download updates, it would eventually become obsolete.” This suggests that the app would lose its functionality over time.
In addition to the restrictions on app stores, hosting companies that provide digital infrastructure, such as cloud hosting and domain name servers, would also be restricted. As Timothy Edgar, a computer science professor at Brown University, explained, “For you to pull up TikTok content on your phone, somebody has to be hosting that.” Without these services, TikTok could cease to function.
Can You Still Access After the Ban?
While the app may be pulled from major app stores and stop functioning properly due to a lack of hosting services, TikTok users would still have access to the app in some capacity. Experts believe that users could still find ways around the ban. Liao noted, “If they really want to use it, the user will find a way to use it,” indicating that dedicated users may continue to seek ways to access the app, even with technical barriers in place.
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However, these workarounds would come with some technical difficulties. With a potential lack of updates and a reduction in hosting quality, the app’s performance could suffer. Users would likely encounter slow loading times, glitches, and other issues that could make the TikTok experience less enjoyable. Despite these challenges, many users might still find it worth the effort.
Will TikTok Continue to Function Smoothly?
The prospect of TikTok moving its services outside the United States to circumvent the ban has been discussed among experts. While this could theoretically keep the platform operational, it would likely come at a cost. As Edgar explained, “The whole point of hosting content is to have it close to users.” Without U.S.-based hosting companies, users may face a slower and less reliable TikTok experience.
Some experts suggest that the company could form partnerships with hosting providers outside the U.S. to maintain its service, but this would likely result in a subpar user experience. The connection between the U.S. and overseas hosting services could lead to increased lag and performance problems.
While TikTok might attempt to maintain its presence in the U.S. through such measures, it is unlikely to succeed in delivering a high-quality user experience. Experts speculate that the platform could eventually shut down altogether, as was seen with TikTok’s ban in India in 2020.
The Legal Implications of the TikTok Ban
If TikTok is indeed banned, U.S. users will not face any legal consequences for continuing to access the app. As Timothy Edgar pointed out, “If you’re an ordinary user with TikTok on your phone, you’re not a criminal.” This means that while the app may no longer be available for download or updates, users will not be penalized for accessing it through alternative means.
The legal situation surrounding the TikTok ban is still uncertain, but experts agree that it would be primarily the company that faces legal challenges, not the individual users. However, with the potential for service interruptions and a degraded user experience, many users may be discouraged from continuing to use the app.
As the potential TikTok ban approaches, users are left wondering what will happen to the app on their phones. The likely restrictions on app stores and hosting services could severely impact the app’s functionality, but workarounds may still allow users to access it. While the service may continue in a diminished form, the possibility of the app shutting down remains. As experts say, “If they really want to use it, the user will find a way to use it.”
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
