TikTok has been everywhere in the news lately. First, it was banned in the U.S., then – just 12 hours later – it was back. Lawmakers called it a national security threat, influencers panicked, and conspiracy theories started flying.

 

Even though we're in Canada, we're watching very closely. Why? Because we’ve just started posting more on TikTok, and now we’re wondering… what does this mean for us?

Is TikTok really going away? What would we do if the same thing happened here? In the U.S., influencers and businesses are freaking out. Millions rely on TikTok to promote their brands and make a living. Losing it would be a big deal.

And then—just when it seemed like it was gone for good—TikTok came back after 12 hours. What happened? Let’s break it all down.

The Backstory: The Long Road to the Ban

This isn't the first time TikTok has been in hot water. Back in 2020, Donald Trump called it a national security threat. He claimed that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, could hand over American user data to the Chinese government. ByteDance denied it, but the concerns stuck around.

Fast forward to now, and the same fears are back—except this time, lawmakers actually did something about it. A new law forced ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. company or face a ban. The deadline? January 19, 2025.

The craziest part? The TikTok ban wasn’t a standalone decision. It was bundled into a massive $95 billion foreign aid package that included funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Lawmakers had to vote on everything all at once.

And here's where things get shady—while Congress was debating the ban, Senator Markwayne Mullin was busy buying up shares of Meta, TikTok’s biggest competitor. He bought Meta stock very recently, right when the ban talks were heating up. Coincidence? A lot of people don’t think so.

 

The 12-Hour Ban: What Happened?

On January 19, TikTok users in the U.S. opened their app and saw this message:

 

Cue the chaos. Creators scrambled to figure out their next move, small businesses panicked, and conspiracy theories flooded social media. Some people think Trump planned the whole thing to win over Gen Z voters. After all, he wasn't even president yet—just days away from taking office.

Meanwhile, Instagram and Facebook (owned by Meta, of course) were more than happy to welcome former TikTok users. Meta even announced their new CapCut-style video editing app, Edits, the same day TikTok went dark.

But then—just like that—TikTok came back. 12 hours later, it was business as usual.

 

The Reversal: Why the Ban Didn't Stick

So, what happened?

Trump posted on Truth Social that he’d issue an executive order delaying the ban. He said TikTok deserved more time to find a U.S. buyer and that businesses shouldn’t suffer. He also assured companies like Apple and Google that they wouldn’t face penalties for hosting TikTok during this waiting period.

This raised a ton of questions. Can Trump even do that? The law passed with huge bipartisan support and was upheld by the Supreme Court. But Trump's team and TikTok’s leadership had been quietly working behind the scenes to keep the app running.

Many experts say this is just a temporary fix—TikTok is still on the chopping block.

 

What a Ban Would Mean for Small Businesses

Here’s the thing—TikTok isn’t just funny dance videos and viral challenges. It’s a huge platform for small businesses.

A U.S. ban would mean a massive hit to entrepreneurs who rely on TikTok to reach their customers. Some estimates said businesses could lose $1.3 billion in revenue in just the first month. Over 7 million businesses use TikTok to market their products, and for many, it's their only marketing strategy.

And us? Here at We Are Planet Hope, we've been watching this closely. As a Canadian small business, we rely on platforms like TikTok to connect with eco-conscious customers, share our mission, and promote our products. A TikTok ban in the U.S. makes us think—what if the same thing happens here? Would we be ready to pivot? It's a scary thought.

 

The Political Games at Play

This whole situation has left people wondering—was this really about national security, or was there something else going on?

With politicians like Senator Mullin making strategic stock moves and Meta launching new products at just the right time, it’s hard not to question the motives behind the ban.

And since the bill was wrapped up with foreign aid, it put lawmakers in a tough spot. If they wanted to support Ukraine or Israel, they had to vote to ban TikTok. Some call it smart politics; others call it shady business.

What's Next for TikTok?

For now, TikTok is safe—but the fight isn’t over.

The law forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok is still in place, and if no buyer steps up, the ban could be back on the table. ByteDance has said they’re not willing to sell, and legal battles are likely on the horizon.

If TikTok disappears for good, it won’t just affect the U.S. Influencers, brands, and businesses around the world—including us in Canada—will have to rethink how they reach their audience.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, this whole TikTok saga is a wild mix of politics, business, and social media drama. Whether it’s truly about national security or a power play by big tech, one thing is clear—TikTok’s future is anything but certain.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens next. And in the meantime, we’ll be thinking about our own backup plans... just in case.