Users are already looking to find new social homes to replace TikTok.
Is TikTok Going Away?
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the platform is on the brink of a potential ban following President Joe Biden’s signing of a law in April 2024, which requires ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, to sell the platform to a U.S.-based company within a year
“For years, the Chinese government has sought to build detailed profiles about Americans – where we live and work, who are friends and coworkers are, what our interests are, and what our vices are,” Elizabeth Barchas Prelogar, the 48th Solicitor General of the United States, told the Supreme Court during a hearing on Friday Jan. 10, 2025, according to CNN.
She also stated TikTok’s “immense data set” gives China “a powerful tool for harassment, recruitment and espionage.”
If ByteDance refuses those terms, the application will no longer be available in the United States on Jan. 19, 2025.
“Absent such relief, the Act will take effect on Jan. 19, 2025,” TikTok said in a December 2024 legal filing. “That would shut down TikTok — one of the Nation’s most popular speech platforms — for its more than 170 million domestic monthly users on the eve of a presidential inauguration.”
Donald Trump, who will soon take office as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025, does have possible intentions to save the application.
“It is possible that come January 20th, 21st, 22nd, we might be in a different world,” Francisco said.
What Happens Next?
TikTok has been a helpful platform for many creators, allowing some to quit their 9-5 jobs to pursue content creation full-time. This includes DeAndre Brown, branded as the “corporate baddie,” who followed suit due to feeling “overwhelmed” by the influx of brand deals while maintaining a full-time role. He currently boasts 1.1 million followers, has amassed 68 million likes (as of this writing), and has secured brand deals with Breathless Resorts & Spa, Neutrogena, and La Roche-Posay USA.
“I realized that I was not showing up as my best self when I went into the office and also working from home. Therefore, I had to make the difficult decision if I wanted to take this on full time for the time being in order to elevate me to what I really wanna do within my career,” Brown said in a 2022 TikTok. “And after having multiple six-figure months from working with brands, I decided that I wanted to pursue this full time for the time being.”
@imdrebrown #stitch with @imdrebrown I now get to chase my childhood dreams while still advocate for a cause that I hold dear to me (thanks to you all) – toxic work culture #corporatebaddies #job
According to CBS News, Brown joins a pool of over 170 million monthly users leveraging TikTok for secondary or primary income. This includes various entrepreneurs who have earned significant revenue through TikTok Shops. Stormi Steele, founder of Canvas Beauty, became the first known person to earn $1 million in just one day of using TikTok Live, as AFROTECH™ previously mentioned.
If the ban goes into effect, what will happen to content creators and entrepreneurs? Several applications are already being considered.
Fanbase
One notable application is Fanbase, a ‘next-generation social media application’ founded by Isaac Hayes III. It is free and allows users to monetize their content from day one. It features long-form videos, audio, live streams, stories, and other content.
It is currently listed as #18 on Apple’s chart for free applications
“As far as I know, this is the only independent founded social media platform that I know of that’s there,” Hayes said, according to Baller Alert. “I’m actually having a little moment here right now.”
Lemon8
TikTok users may already be seeing notifications within the application that a user has “requested to follow you on Lemon8.” The platform is also owned by ByteDance. According to Lemon8’s website, it is a content community geared towards pillars such as beauty, fashion, food, travel, fitness, and pets.
The application also permits the usage of the video editing application CapCup and the photo and art editing application Hypic, per NBC Chicago.
It currently takes the second spot on Apple’s chart’s free applications.
Rednote
Leading the chart is another Chinese company called Rednote (Xiaohongshu). It was launched as an e-commerce app but later expanded to include social media.
“After I opened an account on ‘Red Note,’ I found it very similar to TikTok and it’s one of the few Chinese apps that areavailable in the US App Store,” Texas user Nina told the Global Times.
Neptune
Another application some users are considering is Neptune. The platform shares claims that it is charting a never-before-seen path in social media. It allows users to control their algorithm instead of the other way around. They will have control over what content they view, as it will be based on their “your mood, vibe, or aesthetic,” and can be awarded fair compensation, all while growing a loyal community, its website mentions.
It is clear as the Jan. 19 deadline looms, users are proactively exploring new spaces to cultivate their communities.
