Since its release, TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular apps available today, with nearly 1 billion active users. The app's immense popularity has seen the rise of TikTok celebrities, not unlike what was seen with Vine, with the likes of Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae skyrocketing to fame. Traditional celebrities and brands, including PlayStation, have also flocked to the platform. However, TikTok's worldwide success may soon face a major hurdle, as the United States government is apparently looking into banning the app entirely.
In an interview with Fox News, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested that TikTok and other Chinese social media apps could be banned. Pompeo stated that while he did not want to "get out in front of" President Trump, he confirmed banning TikTok is something that the US government is considering. "With respect to Chinese apps on people's cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right too," he said. There is some concern that TikTok poses a national security risk, with some thinking that the app can be used to collect data on American citizens for the Chinese government.
TikTok has issued a statement in response:
"TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US. TikTok spokesperson said in a statement. We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked."
As TikTok has grown in popularity, many content creators have started using it as yet another way to grow their platform. The app is full of popular Twitch clips and other gaming content. For example, an especially powerful Call of Duty: Warzone FAL loadout was revealed in a hugely popular TikTok video recently, and the app has also been used to share a variety of other gaming news and guides.
TikTok has also created a number of trends based on video games. One of the most notable was when millions of people on the platform changed their profile pictures to LEGO Star Wars characters, and a more recent one featured music from the classic PS1 game PaRappa the Rapper.
ByteDance, the studio behind TikTok, has also indicated that it will be making video games, so it seems as though the app's connection to gaming will only grow stronger. That is, of course, assuming that the United States doesn't ban TikTok from the country.
Source: CNN