There are rumours circulating on the web that TikTok will be deleted from the App Store and the Google Play Store or banned altogether at a certain point in time. Whether there really is something to it, or whether it is just clickbait, we clarify here.
TikTok: These efforts and bans were or are in place
Among other things, German TikTokers are spreading the rumour that the platform is to be banned in Germany. The deadline set was 19.11.2022. However, after that … nothing happened. So what is the truth about the videos on TikTok’s alleged ban?
- Ban in Germany: This rumour circulated on the platform itself. According to German creators, 19.11.22 was the expiry date. However, nothing came of it and these rumours are probably also made up out of thin air. The creators were only trying to get clicks and subscriptions on other platforms. In Germany, there are currently no concrete efforts to ban TikTok. However, criticism of the company has been on the rise again since the end of 2022.
- Ban in the US: After former US President Donald Trump’s efforts to have TikTok blocked in the US, his successor Joe Biden stopped the blocking attempts altogether in mid-2021. TikTok will therefore very probably not be banned in the USA in the near future either, although critical voices are becoming louder again here too.
- Ban in India: This ban has actually come to pass. Due to foreign policy tensions between China and India, TikTok was banned in 2021. Besides TikTok, over 50 other apps have been banned by the government.
TikTok: The often unrecognised dangers of social media
TikTok is currently one of the most popular platforms. With its short videos that keep you glued to your mobile screen, the platform fits perfectly into today’s world. In particular, content such as dance and cooking videos are popular with everyone. However, the dangers of such platforms in general should not be underestimated.
- Time robber: Through the clever algorithm, the platform manages to captivate users. You just want to kill a few minutes with the app and suddenly an hour has passed. To prevent this from happening, you can specify in the settings that a prompt appears as soon as you have spent a certain amount of time in the app.
- Inappropriate and dangerous content: Despite content guidelines, many inappropriate posts appear on the platform. Especially for young people, this content can be harmful. Therefore, it is best to pay attention to what content your children are consuming. Even when they are adults, the information should be questioned.
- Upload videos: If you decide to create content yourself and post it on the platform, remember that the internet remembers everything. Some posts seem funny today and embarrassing tomorrow. Also, many users like to edit content together. Taken out of context, you could be put in the wrong light.
