this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2025
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[–] dariusj18 21 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Correct me if I am wrong, but the part where they take the apps/games down is theatrics, right? They law simply removes them from app stores and has no ability to restrict their actual operations?

[–] BananaTrifleViolin 31 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

The law bans the distribution of the app and applies fines to the app store companies of $5,000 per user who is able to access the app to download it.

So yes, TikToks position is theatrics - current users could continue to access the app but that would mean a slow inevitable decline as no one new could join and the user base would inevitably decline over time. Its not in TikToks interests to allow that and it would take pressure off politicians to do anything. So they're within their rights to muddy the water and block access with a message blaming it on the politicians.

If tiktok were to distribute the app for side loading - like Epic did withita game store - they would probably be open to the same fines as they would become an app distributor.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 day ago

Correct, the law only mandates it being banned from being installed. The blackout for all existing US users is a choice of ByteDance.