Business
U.S Tiktok Users Explores Other Options As Tiktok Might Be Banned Soon
As of January 14, 2025, TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by China’s ByteDance, is facing a potential ban in the United States due to national security concerns.
The U.S. Supreme Court appears inclined to uphold a law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a ban.
Legislative Actions and Deadlines
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act mandates that ByteDance must sell TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 19.
Failure to comply would result in a prohibition of the app in the U.S. Two Democratic lawmakers, Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna, have urged President Joe Biden to extend this deadline, showing concerns over free speech and the livelihoods of content creators.
Senator Markey has proposed legislation to extend the deadline by 270 days, emphasizing the potential disruption to TikTok’s cultural ecosystem and the millions who rely on the platform for social connections and income.
Potential Outcomes and Alternatives
If the ban proceeds, TikTok, which boasts 170 million American users, would become inaccessible. In anticipation, users are migrating to alternative platforms.
Notably, Xiaohongshu, known unofficially in English as “Red Note” or “the Chinese version of Instagram,” has become the most downloaded app in the U.S.
Despite its primarily Chinese interface, American users are joining the platform. Other platforms like Lemon8, another ByteDance app, are also experiencing increased downloads.
Corporate Negotiations and Speculations
In response to the impending ban, discussions have emerged about potential buyers for TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Chinese officials are reportedly considering allowing Elon Musk, known for his positive connections with China and ownership of the social media app X, to invest in or take over TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Implications for Users and the Tech Industry
A ban on TikTok would have significant implications for its users and the broader tech industry. Users would lose access to a platform integral to social interaction, entertainment, and commerce.
Competing platforms like Instagram’s Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat may benefit by attracting TikTok’s user base and advertisers.
As the January 19 deadline approaches, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. The outcome will depend on legislative decisions, potential corporate negotiations, and the broader geopolitical context.
Users and stakeholders are advised to stay informed about developments in this evolving situation.
Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, has revealed the government’s intention of placing women in the livestock transformation agenda that they have in store for Nigeria.
During a recent event, he praised women, describing them as the backbone of the country, and shared that the country will keep on needing their support, hence the inclusion of the agenda team.
He also praised the First Lady for the impact she has made in the country so far and her advocacy for women’s empowerment.
Nigerians react as a user claims and shares that the price of rice in Nigeria is already reducing.
“Rice prices are finally dropping, minimum wage can buy a bag now. Step by step, we’re getting there. Nigeria will work in our lifetime.”
It can be noted that rice was sold at ₦85k to ₦90k, however, according to a market survey, the price of rice has dropped to ₦56k to ₦62k.
Nigerians now have a new choice when it comes to making calls and browsing the internet. A new telecom company called LEBARA has launched in the country with a new idea. Instead of the usual airtime system that most networks use, this company is offering something different, subscribers will now buy call minutes and data directly.
What makes this different is that customers will only pay for what they actually use. If you buy 100 minutes, those minutes are yours until you use them up. If you make a call that lasts only 30 seconds, the rest of your time remains, leaving you with 99 minutes and 30 seconds. Nothing is taken away without your knowledge, and every second is accounted for.
The company is rolling out its services with the new 0724 number series, and it already has connections with all the major networks in Nigeria. This means subscribers will be able to call friends, family, and business contacts across MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile and others without any problems. They have also been licensed as a Tier 5 Mobile Virtual Network Operator, which is the highest category approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Company officials explained that the goal is to give Nigerians more freedom, fairness, and transparency. For years, people have raised concerns about airtime being deducted too quickly or without clear explanation. By introducing a minutes-based model, the new operator wants to end that problem once and for all. Subscribers can clearly see what they paid for, how much they have used, and what is left.
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