As the US faces a potential TikTok ban, South African users say it would have wide-reaching effects in this country, from consequences for data privacy to the prospect of new opportunities for content creators.
The potential TikTok ban in the US has arisen from concerns about data privacy and national security. These issues have led the US House of Representatives to pass legislation requiring the Chinese company ByteDance (TikTok’s owner) to sell the app or be banned from US stores and websites.
The law, signed by President Joe Biden on April 24, gives ByteDance until January 19 2025 to sell TikTok or face a ban.
Last month, a group of TikTok creators filed a lawsuit to block the law that would affect about 170-million US users, saying the app has had “a profound effect on American life”.
ByteDance has filed a similar lawsuit in which it argues the law violates the US constitution, including by running afoul of First Amendment free speech rights.
However, Bryan Kazaka, a South African comedy content creator well known for his TikTok account with more than 8-million followers, sees opportunity amid the uncertainty.
He predicts a surge in alternative platforms, such as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, if TikTok is banned in the US, pointing to the adaptability of content creators and the resilience of online audiences in embracing new opportunities.
Though unaware of any data privacy leaks specific to TikTok, Kazaka advises users “not to post anything online you wouldn’t want seen or known about”.
Kazaka also sees an opportunity for the country to take action in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act and international data protection instruments, though he is dubious about whether this will happen.
“I doubt South Africa has the resources to take a similar approach, and therefore nothing will change for the country,” he says.
Durban University of Technology information and communications technology professor Colin Thakur offers a fresh perspective, acknowledging TikTok’s addictive nature.
He emphasises the need for a TikTok ban, saying the app is “too addictive”.
Thakur stresses the need to limit the speed of the transmission of videos, particularly the ones with misinformation. He believes influencers may not have our best interests at heart, saying “they may be persuaded to not allow the truth to get in the way of a good story”.
However, he also recognises TikTok’s positive effect on self-expression and community engagement in South Africa.
“I doubt the US ban will have any influence on South African users. In fact, it may even grow the local market, as people will be curious to investigate the app,” he says.
Wian van den Berg is a South African magician well known for his presence on the big screen and various social media platforms, including TikTok, where he has earned more than 16-million followers.
He believes the ban would have a huge effect on South African users, as US-based users are the ones who are “driving the trends”.
Van den Berg also sees the potential for growth in other platforms, saying “the attention has to go somewhere”.
He also recognises the app as having a slew of positive benefits, as it encourages self-expression and leads to talent recognition.
“It’s taken the lead in driving the new era of ordinary people being able to entertain and be part of entertainment.”
He remains optimistic, foreseeing new opportunities emerging as users adapt to shifts in the digital landscape, similar to previous transitions such as the rise of shorts and reels after Vine’s demise.
Rakhi Beekrum, a counselling psychologist, explains how the app’s design encourages escapism and instant gratification.
“If there is a ban, it is unlikely to be sudden, so users will have time to prepare or try a different platform,” she says.
I doubt the US [TikTok] ban will have any influence on South African users. In fact, it may even grow the local market, as people will be curious to investigate the app — Colin Thakur, Durban University of Technology.
This stance reinforces her views on the app being addictive and encouraging instant gratification. The ban will not diminish the addictions, but rather simply divert them to other platforms.
Beekrum warns of the potential affect of the app on attention spans, sleep patterns and the overall wellbeing of South African users, and especially the youth.
She says there is research on cyberbullying and its connection to TikTok which shows that “cyberbullying and trolling can lead to anxiety and increased stress, impacting on other areas of our lives”.
She is concerned about the emotional and social implications of a TikTok ban, explaining how people dependent on the app may suffer. Other apps will need to be used or created to “meet these needs”.
Beekrum advises parents to find ways to combat addiction to apps such as TikTok and use them in a healthy way.
Parents should insist on “no-phone zones”, such as at the dining-room table and in the bedroom. They should also ensure their children maintain a balance between the different areas of their lives, including those that do not involve social media.
She also encourages “mindful consumption” of social media, to ensure sleep, productivity and relationships are not detrimentally affected by online activities.
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