Growing Challenges for TikTok and Emerging Alternatives

Wed Jan 15 2025
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Key points

  • India banned TikTok in 2020
  • US Supreme Court to decide TikTok’s future
  • RedNote and Xiaohongshu are alternative Chinese apps

 

ISLAMABAD: TikTok, the popular short-form video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny and bans in different countries owing to concerns over national security, data privacy, and content regulation.

According to BBC, governments, while citing national security and espionage, fear that TikTok could share user data with the Chinese government.

Moreover, concerns about data collection practices and potential misuse of personal information have led to apprehensions in countries that are not friendly with China.

Some states, like India, are also concerned about the content which is shared on the app. Issues related to misinformation, inappropriate content, and the platform’s influence on youth have prompted regulatory actions.

India thinks that TikTok spreads propaganda and disinformation campaigns among its youth. It started as a social movement after Indian soldiers clashed with Chinese troops in a deadly confrontation in the remote Karakoram mountain border region.

Reasons for banning  TikTok

In June 2020, India imposed a nationwide ban on TikTok, citing national security and data privacy concerns. It was part of a broader movement that was deigned to boycott Chinese goods and other apps.

As of January 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating on a federal ban due to national security fears, with a decision expected on 19th January.

In November 2024, Canada ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business following a national security review, though the app remains accessible to users and the case is pending in the court.

In December 2024, Albania announced a one-year ban on TikTok following a tragic incident linked to the platform, raising concerns about its influence on children.

The ban came as a result of the fatal incident of the stabbing of a 14-year-old in November following a series of arguments the teen had on social media. After the stabbing, videos surfaced on TikTok showing young people expressing support for the killing.

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Nations such as Pakistan and Indonesia have temporarily banned TikTok in the past over content concerns.

However, they have since lifted restrictions after the platform agreed to comply with local regulations.

TikTok’s Alternatives

RedNote is a Chinese app that has gained popularity in the US as a potential substitute for TikTok.

Xiaohongshu is yet another Chinese app that is experiencing a surge in downloads among U.S. users amid TikTok ban discussions.

Moreover, Instagram reels and YouTube shorts also offer short-form video features similar to TikTok.

Impact on Content Creators

Banning TikTok affects content creators who rely on the platform for income and audience engagement.

Monetization varies widely, while top influencers earn huge amounts through brand partnerships and sponsored content, average earnings depend on follower count, engagement rates, and regional factors.

The absence of TikTok could disrupt creators’ revenue streams and necessitate rebuilding audiences on alternative platforms.

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