Potential loss of US-based content weighs on Irish TikTok users' minds

If TikTok is not sold by its Chinese owners by Sunday, as required by the US law, new US users will not be able to download the app any longer.

As president-elect Donald Trump considers putting off the impending TikTok ban in the US, Irish users wonder what such a ban could mean for the US content they watch on the platform.

If the video app is not sold by its Chinese owners by Sunday, as required by the US law, new US users will not be able to download the app any longer.

This comes after Congress voted to ban the app amid rising concerns that China could access data from its 170m US users.

According to tech media The Information, unless the US Supreme Court intervenes to block the law from coming into effect, TikTok is set to shut off the app in the US.

With an executive order, Mr Trump is considering delaying the ban once he enters the White House on January 20. Last month, the president elect stated he has a “warm spot in my heart for TikTok”.

Such a move from Mr Trump would be welcomed by Irish users of TikTok, who consume a lot of content created in the US.

Limerick journalist Sarah Coleman, 27, often uses TikTok. She says a ban on the app would change the way she uses it.

“A TikTok ban in the US would definitely have an impact on the way I interact with it. Many of the people I follow and enjoy keeping up to date with are based in the US.

"It is also a source of income for people in the US and here at home. I would be hopeful that the ban is not introduced,” she said.

'More Irish brands'

Even though she uses the app quite a lot, Limerick accountant Sophie Cusack-Ryan says it might have a positive outcome in Ireland.

It use it almost every day. From watching fashion videos, skincare tips, even workplace advice, a lot of it comes from US users.

“I think the ban will 100% have an impact, but it might be a good one, maybe we’ll see more Irish brands and influencers take up our FYPs."

FYP stands for the For You Page, the personalised content that social media apps tailor to each user based on their interests.

However, Ms Cusack-Ryan believes the US ban would not be a great decision.

“It’s a livelihood for a lot of people, for some it’s their only source of income. It’s going to take away a lot of people’s freedom and will force creators to migrate to less regulated and monitored media,” she said.

According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump and his team are considering an executive order which would see the enforcement of the law being suspended for up to 90 days.