Understanding the Impact of a Potential TikTok Ban on App Functionality

In the event that the ban is implemented, it’s crucial to understand that TikTok will not immediately cease to function, and users will not find the app automatically deleted from their mobile devices. Those who already have the app installed can continue to enjoy the platform, scrolling through videos and uploading their own content as usual. However, it’s important to note that the app will become unavailable for new downloads from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store within the United States. Furthermore, users will be unable to receive any updates, including essential security upgrades and bug fixes, after the cutoff date of January 18.

The inability of ByteDance to release updates means that users may experience a gradual decline in app performance, rendering it increasingly difficult to use over time. As highlighted by Internet Society technologist Joseph Lorenzo Hall in an interview with Wired, “The apps will start to decay and rot,” indicating that essential services, such as content distribution networks, may become nonfunctional. This situation arises from the uncertainty surrounding the enforcement of the ban by the incoming administration, which could lead to hesitation from service providers to support an app that faces potential restrictions.