Well, this is the mandatory article we need to post every 75 to 90 days since the beginning of the year. You know the drill:
Oh, no! TikTok is getting banned! What is going to happen!?
Well, you know exactly what is going to happen: another extension. Another “we are almost done with the deal.” Another moment of drama. But here we are, so let’s talk about it.
A Timeline of Events
Just in case you have been living under a rock (or have been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of EVERYTHING going on in the US, the world, and online right now), let’s review real quick everything that has happened:
- July 2014 – Musical.ly was founded in China
- July 2015 – Musical.ly hits App Store #1
- 2016 – ByteDance launches Douyin in China
- Nov. 2017 – ByteDance acquires Musical.ly for $1B
- Feb. 2019 – TikTok fined for privacy violations
- Sept. 2019 – Reports of protest censorship emerge
- Oct. 2019 – US opens national security probe
- Dec. 2019 – Pentagon bans TikTok on phones
- Dec. 2019 – TikTok #2 global downloads
- May 2020 – Groups file privacy complaint
- May 2020 – Disney exec Kevin Mayer named CEO
- July 2020 – India bans TikTok after clashes
- Aug. 2020 – First TikTok ban order is issued.
- Aug. 2020 – Microsoft, Oracle explore acquisition
- Nov. 2020 – TikTok deadlines extended
- Feb. 2021 – Ongoing TikTok cases PAUSED
- Sept. 2021 – TikTok passes 1 billion users
- Dec. 2021 – Report finds harmful teen content
- Feb. 2022 – TikTok announces stricter content rules
- Apr. 2022 – TikTok project wins Grammy Award
- Apr. 2022 – TikTok becomes the most-downloaded app
- June 2022 – BuzzFeed reports on data access
- June 2022 – TikTok migrates US data to Oracle
- Dec. 2022 – FBI raises national security concerns
- Dec. 2022 – Employees fired for journalist data access
- Feb. 2023 – White House bans TikTok on devices
- Mar. 2023 – CEO testifies in six-hour hearing
- Jan. 2024 – TikTok restricts researcher access tool
- Mar. 2024 – House passes TikTok ban-or-sell bill
- Apr. 2024 – Senate passes bill, Biden signs
- May 2024 – ByteDance sues the US government
- Dec. 2024 – Appeals court upholds TikTok law
- Dec. 2024 – SCOTUS received request to delay ban
- Jan. 2025 – Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban
- Jan. 2025 – TikTok banned in the United States
- Jan. 2025 – First 75-day extension granted
- Apr. 2025 – Second extension pushes to June
- Jun. 2025 – Third extension to September 17
- Sep. 2025 – Fourth extension to December 16
It is a lot, we know—you can access a more detailed timeline HERE—we have come a long way… and we honestly have no idea where we will go from here.
What is Coming?
The current administration claims that “they have reached a deal,” and rumor has it that Oracle will be acquiring the US operations for TikTok. According to the BBC, a meeting is scheduled for this coming Friday between the current administration and the Chinese President, and “a buyer will be announced soon.”
However, the timeline remains unclear, with the new extension only extending our deadline until December.
What Does This Mean for YOU?
By now—and considering this is our THIRD article on this and the FOURTH TIME we get an extension—you’re probably tired of hearing “plan for life without TikTok.” But here’s the reality: you can’t afford not to. Whether or not Oracle (or whoever ends up with the US operations) takes over, the uncertainty alone is enough to make your social strategy shaky if you’ve put all your eggs in the TikTok basket.
The app still has a massive reach, especially among younger audiences. But between privacy concerns, regulatory pressure, and the ongoing back-and-forth between Washington and Beijing, TikTok is not exactly what we’d call a stable foundation for long-term growth.
That doesn’t mean you should abandon ship tomorrow. It means now is the time to diversify. Build your audience on Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or even experiment with newer short-form platforms popping up. Think of TikTok as a great rented property—you can still throw amazing parties there, but maybe start putting down roots somewhere you actually own.
The Bigger Picture
This whole TikTok saga isn’t really about dance challenges or trending audios. It’s about data, geopolitics, and control over digital influence. TikTok has become the poster child for the debate around foreign-owned tech platforms operating in the US, and no matter how this specific story ends, it’s setting the tone for how future platforms will be regulated.
That means the next “viral app” to capture Gen Alpha’s attention might face similar hurdles. It also means businesses and marketers will need to keep agility at the core of their strategies.
What is The Status On The TikTok Ban?
Well, we can say with certainty that we have not moved a single inch since January, LOL. TikTok remains in the same place, surrounded by uncertainty, extensions, and much speculation: Will Oracle swoop in and save the day? Will ByteDance fight this all the way to the bitter end? Will there be platform changes if the acquisition goes through? Will we be writing this exact same blog post again in 90 days?
Until then, if you’re using TikTok, enjoy the reach while you have it. But also—start future-proofing your strategy. Because if there’s one thing this timeline has made clear, it’s that the only predictable thing about TikTok in the US is unpredictability.
