Time’s Up, TikTok
What you need to know before Sunday.
Tiktok might actually shut down in the US on Sunday. The Supreme Court ruled today in favor of the government’s national security claims, despite First Amendment complaints, so the law is poised to go into effect. This isn't just another tech story limited to Silicon Valley: It could impact over 170 million Americans who use the app. While this seems like a setback, it might actually spark the next great innovation in how we connect online. Tech history shows us that constraints often lead to breakthrough innovations. Whether or not you use TikTok, this moment could catalyze a new era of more transparent, user-empowering social platforms.
TikTok has become central to American life and culture
TikTok isn't just an app. It's where 65% of American teens spend their time, with more than half of them checking it multiple times a day and 16% saying they use it constantly.
The platform has created a $250bn economy, turning everyday creators into business owners and entrepreneurs.
TikTok has already demonstrated its ability to influence American politics: In March, it successfully mobilized users to flood congressional phones and show up in DC to protest a potential ban, showing unprecedented platform-directed political action. (And speaking of political influence, CEO Shou Chew will be prominently seated on the dais at Monday’s inauguration.)
TikTok's ability to shape conversations goes beyond entertainment: It's become a primary news source for millions of Americans — 17% in 2024, up from 3% in 2020, with 39% of users under 30 citing it as their main source.
It’s more than just a teen phenomenon: 24% of all American adults use it regularly.
The concerns go deeper than most realize
While most young users are skeptical about data privacy concerns (as many of you have noted in response to previous newsletters), this goes beyond simple data collection.
TikTok has already shown it can mobilize millions of Americans to take specific political actions. Imagine that power in more sensitive scenarios.
The platform's algorithm isn't just serving content — it's potentially shaping public opinion on everything from elections to international conflicts.
Government officials worry about TikTok's ability to identify and collect data on high-value targets through usage patterns. While data privacy might seem abstract, the app’s demonstrated ability to influence political action makes these concerns more concrete.
The current situation is more complex than previous ban attempts
The Supreme Court ruled today in favor of the government’s national security claims, despite First Amendment complaints, so the law is poised to go into effect.
Previous actions included bans on using TikTok on government devices at both state and federal levels. In March, they went all the way: The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act set this Sunday's deadline for TikTok to either divest from its parent company, ByteDance, which the act claims is beholden to the CCP, or be banned in the US.
Potential buyers are emerging, from Frank McCourt's Project Liberty-led "people's bid," focusing on transparency and user control, to Walmart, Microsoft and, recently, Elon Musk, who has “a strong relationship” with President Xi Jinping. Who can swing the $40 to $50bn?
Any potential buyer — that is, assuming they do sell — would need to address both the technical and trust challenges, making it less attractive. And would ByteDance actually sell the algorithm that makes TikTok so valuable?
Trump's campaign promises about TikTok added another layer of political complexity; he recently asked the Supreme Court to delay their decision so he can “save TikTok.”
Users and creators face an uncertain immediate future
The technical implementation of the ban could vary, from removal from the app store to complete service shutdown — or nothing. The Biden administration said they won’t enforce it on Day One, and it's such an unknown variable what happens on and after inauguration day.
74% of TikTok users already use Instagram, and 95% use YouTube, suggesting most have backup platforms. Recently, users have been moving to the Chinese app known as Red Note.
It’s the creator economy that could be most impacted by a sudden platform shift. Participants are already planning for multiple scenarios, including potential new ownership.
As always, there will be workarounds — users in other countries where TikTok was banned have found ways around restrictions through VPNs — and major platform shifts.
Why this moment matters for the future of social media
This isn't about destroying what works; it's about building something better. The features we love about TikTok — discovery, creativity, connection — don't have to come at the cost of transparency.
Frank McCourt's "people's bid" shows us a potential future. Imagine social platforms where you understand why you're seeing what you're seeing, and where you have real control over your data and experience. This vision for a more transparent, user-controlled platform could reshape how we think about social media. There's a massive opportunity here for American innovation — not to copy TikTok, but to solve the harder problem of building engaging, transparent platforms that respect user agency.
We're seeing signs that users want this change: The success of more transparent social media platforms like Bluesky (despite its smaller scale) suggests people care about knowing how their social media works.
Watch this space: Whether it's McCourt's vision, a startup we haven't heard of yet or even existing players stepping up their game, this moment could push every social platform to be more transparent about how it operates, finally making "privacy by design" and "transparency by default" the new standard for social platforms.
Most importantly, you, the user, will benefit. Imagine social media where you're not the product, but a true participant who understands and controls your experience. (Remember when social media was about your personal social network and actual relationships?!) Start putting the idea out there…on social!
Worth the Read
AI scientists are here! James Zao at Stanford has created a virtual science lab, with agents playing the roles of principal investigator, researcher, developer, etc. These agents don’t sleep, and Zao can run hundreds in parallel. The best ideas are sent to a real wet lab to confirm. Fascinating!
AI trivia is my favorite, and is something I now do for fun. Tell ChatGPT to ask questions on any topic, and let the games night begin.
While I’m not religious, I love seeing the religious take on AI — in this case, a Franciscan friar weighing in on the ethical challenges posed by AI. “We have to recognize that we live in a different reality. Software is not secondary but questions what reality is, what property is, what are the rights we have,” he said.