TikTok, one of the most popular social networks in the world, had a very intense weekend in the United States, with a 13 hour blackout that set off alarms among its 170 million users in the country. Although the service was restored thanks to the intervention of Donald Trump, doubts about the stability of the platform remain, especially after the approval of laws that threaten its operation.
The situation raises questions not only about its future in the United States, but also about possible implications in other countries, including Spain.
The war between TikTok and the United States
The tension between TikTok and the US government is not recent. Since 2020, Donald Trump’s administration has identified the platform, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, as a risk to national security. According to the allegations, TikTok collected data from American users that could end up in the hands of the Chinese government. Although the company implemented measures to store data on local servers and increased the transparency of its algorithms, the problems do not stop there.
The conflict reached a new peak this weekend when, backed by new legislation, the application was temporarily removed from the Apple (App Store) and Google (Play Store) stores, and its access was blocked. This led to a blackout that left millions of users without access to the platform.
However, Trump, now president-elect for a second term, intervened to temporarily lift the ban. The proposed solution includes allow TikTok to continue operating for 75 more days while an agreement is negotiated that guarantees half of its property in American hands.
The uncertainty has generated great concern among content creators, who make a living on TikTok. During the hours of inactivity, many took the opportunity to say goodbye to their followers or migrate to alternative platforms such as Instagram.
TikTok’s reaction was overwhelming. Through a statement, the company said it was working to restore the service permanently, but warned that the ban violated the First Amendment, which protects freedom of expression.
Could something similar happen in Spain?
The case of the United States brings to the table the growing concern about the security of data on social networks of Chinese origin. In Europe, where TikTok has also been questioned, regulators are focused on ensuring that platforms comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. TikTok has already taken action to adapt, such as storing European data in centers located in Dublin and Norway.
However, tension between the West and China could generate similar pressures in Spain, especially if geopolitical disputes intensify. Until now, the European Union has not promoted measures as drastic as a total ban on the app, but it is not ruled out that future decisions in the United States will influence the European continent.
Although Trump has offered an extension, TikTok’s future in the United States remains uncertain. Laws passed under the Joe Biden administration, requiring TikTok to be sold by January 2025, have not been repealed. This means that, although the veto can be postponed, the conflict does not end.
For users and content creators in Spain, the lesson is clear: diversify platforms and be attentive to regulatory changes. For now, TikTok seems safe in the country, but the global landscape could change quickly.
