After months of speculation about the legality, possibility and commitment of President Trump’s TikTok ban, it’s finally here.

From this Sunday, 20 September 2020, new downloads of TikTok will be banned on devices in the United States. However, current users will continue to be allowed to use the app until 12 November 2020 unless a new deal is arranged.

Fellow Chinese-owned app WeChat is banned entirely from Sunday.

This kind of news is a bit odd for two reasons. First, it’s more political news than social news. Second, it’s not even social news if you consider ‘social media’ to be predicated on a network of followers — you don’t need to follow anyone or even be followed by anyone to take advantage of TikTok’s famous algorithm.

That said, here’s a rough timeline of the ban to date:

On June 29th, India banned TikTok amongst a series of other Chinese-owned apps as border tensions escalated. On August 6th, Trump signed an executive order to ban TikTok.

Then, on August 19th, Trump signed another executive order giving TikTok 90 days to sell. A whole bunch of companies, both tech and otherwise, came to the table with prospective bids.

Earlier this week, TikTok announced that Oracle won that sale though both companies have described it as a ‘partnership’ not a sale. Today, Friday 18 September, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the ban will take effect from this Sunday.

So what does Rooster think about the TikTok ban in the United States?

Jo Kendall, Account Director:

“I’d say it’s a worrying restriction of self-expression that could soon lead into press restrictions, etc. Regional papers that traditionally investigated local crimes are already closing. Jeffrey Epstein was brought down by the Miami Herald after all — not a national publication. Of course, we could say that TikTok is used by those under-25 as a way to connect with peers and is mostly harmless, but the U.S. clearly thinks it’s dangerous.”

Hannah Carlisle, Senior Account Executive:

“It’s interesting that Trump also announced yesterday his intentions to promote ‘patriotic education’ to teach youths to love America again. It seems like banning TikTok could be another way for him to censor the spread of the opposition’s voice amongst youngsters.”

Zac van Manen, Senior Social Manager:

“I don’t actually think it’s as much of a Trump kneejerk as it is a response to the U.S. and China’s fundamental ideological oppositions — capitalism vs. ‘communism with Chinese characteristics.’ 90% of TikTok’s revenue comes from American users while most of what we would consider ‘the Internet’ is banned in China altogether.”

Yasmine Triana, Head of PR:

“Sure, but it’s not the only Chinese company getting rich off American users.”

Zac:

“That’s true, but other industries are more accessible for American companies in China whereas the Internet, which the UN considers a human right, is heavily regulated in China.”

Hannah:

“I agree with that but I also think the President is conscious of media he can’t control. Sort of a two birds, one stone kind of s

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Rooster Reacts: TikTok’s Ban is Finally Here