On a technical level, how is TikTok being blocked/banned in the US?

Can I still sideload the app to my phone? Is it only being banned from the two big app stores? Is there a penalty for being found in possession of the software on US soil?

  • iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works
    78·
    2 days ago

    I believe I read that the ban prohibited new downloads but wouldn’t stop existing users from continuing to use, however the parent company kinda put a middle finger up and said they would stop service in the US completely, probably by IP/geofencing? Take with grain of salt.

    • elgordino@fedia.io
      53·
      2 days ago

      Yeah. ByteDance, the owners, are choosing to block US users to kick up the maximum fuss possible. From my understanding they didn’t need to, they just risked withering away because there would be no new users.

      • gazter@aussie.zone
        2·
        19 hours ago

        To be honest, I’m surprised they care as much as they seem to- the US is such a small percentage of their potential user base. If my app lost 5% of my potential new users I’d be curious why, but I probably wouldn’t put any effort into getting them back.

      • FuryMaker@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        2 days ago

        Yeah, they won’t geofence. Still money to be made from existing US users. And no one puts principles above profits.