
Ah, TikTok. The app that transformed everyday lives into 15-second dance routines and questionable life hacks is now at the center of a geopolitical drama. Welcome to the year 2025, where banning an app is seen as a demonstration of national security, and TikTok’s fate has less to do with viral dances and more with, well, Donald Trump. When the former reality TV star-turned-president gets involved, you know things are about to get… unpredictable. To say the least.
The TikTok ban arises from concerns that the app’s parent company, ByteDance, is too close to the Chinese government and might be mishandling American data. Is this a valid concern? Perhaps. Or could it simply be the latest boogeyman in the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry? Either way, we have to recap what really happened. It may surprise you that the first person to suggest banning the platform was… Donald Trump himself, which occurred in 2020. Five years later we find ourselves with a ‘ban’ issued by the Biden administration just to be annulled by Trump who is heading back to the White House as we speak. What won’t surprise you is that Donald’s proposed solution is not subtle at all: ban TikTok but offer a 90-day reprieve if, and only if, American entities acquire at least 50% of the company. Is he a national security champion or a businessman looking for a cut? You decide.
Let’s break it down. Trump’s moves seem designed to please various audiences. For the 170 million TikTok users in the U.S., many of whom are young voters, his willingness to “save” the app serves as a not-so-subtle attempt to win their favor. At the same time, keeping the “anti-China” narrative alive boosts his standing among his base. But now he’s also entertaining the idea of “cooperating” with ByteDance if it leads to a joint venture. That’s quite the pivot, but who’s keeping track of inconsistencies when there’s an opportunity for a deal? As for potential buyers, they are already circling like vultures. Elon Musk, Meta (formerly Facebook), or even a mysterious Republican-led company may swoop in.
“In short, the TikTok ban is not just about national security; it’s about control.”
While the political spectacle unfolds, AdTech companies are watching with a mix of horror and delight. TikTok has revolutionized digital advertising, creating unprecedented opportunities for brands to reach audiences through highly personalized content. If TikTok disappears or gets monopolized by U.S. giants, AdTech firms could face a shake-up. For them, the stakes are clear: fewer platforms mean fewer options. If Meta or Musk gains control, it’s not just about TikTok; it’s about establishing a closed ecosystem that squeezes out smaller players. These companies are also aware of a dirty little secret – TikTok’s algorithm is the gold standard despite the controversy. It’s a golden goose everybody wants to put their hands on.
Of course, Trump’s ambitions go far beyond ownership and votes. The ban’s consequences could fundamentally alter how social media operates in the U.S. Content moderation rules are already changing, and not for the better. Think fewer facts and more opinions modeled to look like them. A world where people can’t differentiate the truth from propaganda is truly a horrific vision.
One could argue that this whole ordeal is just another form of censorship disguised as free speech. The media, already struggling to adapt to the digital age, could lose yet another vital platform for reaching audiences. In short, the TikTok ban is not just about national security; it’s about control.
We find ourselves at the very beginning of 2025, right in the middle of a worldwide geopolitical soap opera – and guess what? It’s the plot twist we didn’t need! There is however an upside – this drama has turbocharged a crucial conversation about privacy, data security, and the influence of social media on our lives. It’s time to demand more – way more – from TikTok and every other platform out there. What is the future of social media? It’s still up for grabs but we are running out of time.