A TikTok Ban? Nope, That's Not Happening

Here we go again. There's a groundswell of support to ban TikTok in the United States.

But if this seems familiar, that's because it is.

Back in 2020, there were widespread efforts to ban the popular app, but a judge halted those efforts.

Additional attempts since have gone virtually nowhere, as the dances are undisrupted, the challenges continue, and the video views keep skyrocketing.

TikTok isn't going to be banned outright. Devin Coldewey over at TechCrunch says it best:

"There isn’t a clear path to a ban. The FCC can’t do it (no jurisdiction). Despite the supposed national security threat, the Pentagon can’t do it (ditto). The feds can’t force Apple and Google to do it (First Amendment). Congress won’t do it (see above). An executive order won’t do it (too broad). No judge will do it (no plausible case)."

So while a Senator from Colorado can write to Apple and Google asking them to ban the app, there's not a lot politicians can do on the matter. It's up to the tech companies and it would set an incredible precedent if they took the action to ban the app.

Washington officials can implement blocks on U.S. government devices, and they have. Some states have followed suit. Texas. Ohio. South Dakota. Maryland.

But banning TikTok for all Americans, across all U.S. devices, there's no clear path for that to happen. It's just not happening.