Lawyer explains what will happen to TikTok Shop if US decides to ban the app

Online shoppers increasingly rely on TikTok Shop, but as the U.S. ban approaches, legal advisors suggest that internet users may need to explore alternative platforms to find deals.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve come to realize that TikTok isn’t just about sharing fun videos. In fact, it took a major leap forward in September 2023 by introducing the TikTok Shop feature. Now, this platform has become a marketplace where creative entrepreneurs can showcase and sell their products directly to users like me, making shopping an exciting part of the TikTok experience.

Almost immediately, the platform gained massive popularity, making it a go-to method for users to purchase fashionable goods such as clothing, accessories, and other items at affordable prices, thus establishing itself as a common choice.

As the possible removal of TikTok from U.S. app stores draws near (January 19), people in America are eagerly waiting to find out how its presence might change, should it be banned.

Lawyer sheds light on TikTok Shop’s future amid possible US ban

We had a conversation with Neil Elan, a business attorney at Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP, to discuss and gain some legal perspectives on TikTok Shop’s potential developments within the U.S.

It’s expected that users may hurry to withdraw their purchases from TikTok in large numbers due to the possibility of its shutdown in the U.S., a scenario that includes TikTok Shop too.

He mentioned that it could be similar to a retail store closing suddenly, meaning for a brief moment, you might have the chance to grab items from various sections before it’s too late.

If TikTok is banned, people won’t be able to use the app for access or monetization purposes, which could have severe financial consequences for both users and content creators who heavily depend on it. However, since the ban is in place, there’s no way around it.

Elan encourages creators to make their content as varied as feasible, yet remains skeptical that the demise of TikTok would necessarily signify an end to their professional paths.

He confidently stated that there will likely be another social platform emerging. While it’s hard to foresee at the moment, he suggested that even if TikTok doesn’t get banned, it’s quite possible that within five to seven years, a new dominant social media platform might arise, surprising no one. Or, in simpler terms, just as there is now, there will probably be a new, more popular platform ruling the social media scene in the future.

Another interpretation could be: It’s not an error to suggest that other apps have been rapidly gaining popularity and replacing TikTok, with the Chinese app Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) currently leading the way in Apple’s App Store as we get closer to January 19th.

Read More

2025-01-15 16:08