In the lead-up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, significant changes are also unfolding in the social media landscape of the United States, particularly concerning TikTok. A move by Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg is shifting the way misinformation is flagged, opting for community-based input rather than relying solely on paid fact-checkers.
The pressing concern for American users is the impending shutdown of TikTok, a Chinese-owned app deemed a national security risk by Congress. Set to take effect on January 19, just hours before Trump’s swearing-in, this ban has led many users to bid farewell to their followers, redirecting them to alternative platforms.
The TikTok CEO, Shou Chew, is seeking clarity and assurance from the Biden Administration regarding the ban’s enforcement, as uncertainty looms over the app’s future in the U.S. While the Federal Government hints that an abrupt shutdown may not occur, TikTok insists that unless they receive clear guidance, the app might indeed go silent on the specified date.
Despite these developments, Australian users remain unaffected, although they may find that U.S. creators they follow could disappear from their feeds. As this situation evolves, all eyes are on the U.S. government’s next steps in managing the contentious issue of TikTok.