LONDON, United Kingdom (Kaab TV) – Analysts warn that it may be “just a matter of time” before the U.S. ban on TikTok influences allied nations, depending on the policy stance of the incoming Trump administration.
TikTok was banned in the U.S. after lawmakers flagged it as a national security risk due to alleged ties between its parent company, ByteDance, and the Chinese government—a claim ByteDance denies.
However, President Trump has expressed opposition to the ban and signaled plans to reverse it, the BBC has reported on Sunday.
If the U.S. ban is upheld, experts predict it could follow patterns seen with Huawei and Kaspersky.
Both companies faced allegations of posing security threats, though concrete evidence was never disclosed.
Emily Taylor, editor of the Cyber Policy Journal, observed parallels between TikTok’s situation and past actions against these companies, noting a potential for a “creeping ban” effect.
The U.S. has previously lobbied allies to align on similar bans, often starting with members of the Five Eyes Alliance—the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Currently, all members have restricted TikTok on government devices, and countries like France, Austria, and Taiwan have followed suit.
Still, experts note TikTok’s fate hinges on Trump’s evolving stance.
Unlike his earlier push to ban the app, Trump’s re-election campaign recently benefited from TikTok’s reach, complicating his administration’s position.
In the meantime, TikTok faces uncertainty in Western markets, where a ban could undermine its financial stability and open the door for U.S. rivals like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
While it might pivot to regions like Africa and the Middle East, a global ripple effect could significantly diminish its influence.
At present, the U.K. has “no plans” for a TikTok ban, but scrutiny over data security remains a key issue as governments assess the app’s long-term viability.