
TikTok’s Wild Ride: Here’s What’s Happening and What It Means for Lubbock
This weekend, TikTok users in Lubbock and across the country were hit with a wave of chaos, confusion, and maybe even a little relief. The popular social media app that just about everybody seems to be using was banned, then saved, and now? Its future is still uncertain. If you’ve been scratching your head, wondering what’s going on, here’s my attempt to break the TikTok saga down to the best of my ability...
TikTok’s Troubles Began in 2020
TikTok’s roller coaster started in August 2020, when then-President Donald Trump labeled the app a national security risk. Trump warned that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, might be sharing data with the Chinese Communist Party. He issued an ultimatum: TikTok had 45 days to sell to a U.S.-based company or be banned for good.
The app didn’t sell, and nothing happened immediately. TikTok sued, the debate fizzled, and the app continued growing in popularity.
The Biden Era and Renewed Concerns
Under President Joe Biden, the concerns about TikTok never went away. Reports emerged that TikTok’s algorithms were feeding harmful content to teens. Then, in 2022, the FBI claimed China-based employees were accessing American user data. In response, TikTok promised to migrate data to Oracle’s U.S.-based servers, but everybody was still skeptical.
Last year, a bipartisan bill passed Congress, giving TikTok an ultimatum: Sell or shut down. ByteDance sued the government, arguing the law was unconstitutional, and the fight went all the way to the Supreme Court....
The Supreme Court Ruling
On Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the ban, unanimously agreeing TikTok poses a national security risk. TikTok started blocking access on Saturday, and many users saw this message: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
For a brief moment, it seemed like TikTok was gone for good. Creators scrambled, and fans mourned their endless feed of dances, trends, and oddly satisfying videos of people power washing stuff.
Trump to the Rescue?
In a bizarre twist, Donald Trump stepped in on Sunday, granting TikTok a 90-day extension to continue operations. Trump reportedly wanted TikTok to be available for his inauguration and says he’ll use the time to negotiate a deal to keep the app running in the U.S.
TikTok thanked Trump and promised to work on a solution. For now, the app is back up, but no one knows for sure what will happen when the 90 days are up.
What’s Next?
If TikTok DOES go away, what’s the backup plan? Alternatives like RedNote are being discussed, but experts warn it’s ALSO based in China and could pose similar risks. Meanwhile, a survey shows 73% of Americans aged 13-39 oppose the ban, highlighting TikTok’s popularity with younger generations.
Lubbock Creators Feel the Heat
For creators in Lubbock, the uncertainty is stressful. TikTok has become a go-to platform for local businesses, musicians, and more.
For now, TikTok lives on. Stay tuned for updates—it seems like this saga is far from over!
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