TikTok

After the U.S. government threatened to ban TikTok, American users discovered an unlikely haven: Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media app.

In contrast to the United States’ fiery debates over regulating TikTok, Taiwan’s policy discourse has remained conspicuously subdued.

The social media app’s survival in the U.S. will hinge on its ability to secure legal wins, build political alliances, or adapt structurally to evolving demands.

Jakarta has a long track record of leveraging market access in order to gain concessions from foreign companies.

Jakarta is worried that the platform's "factory-to-consumer" business model will undermine the country's millions of small businesses.

Video-sharing platforms have experienced a “remarkable” growth spurt so far this year.

Democratic President Joe Biden signed legislation in April that could ban TikTok in the U.S., even as his campaign joined in February and has tried to work with influencers.

TikTok has faced pressure across Central Asia, with governments often citing the protection of children to justify restriction. 

In India, the app was banned nearly four years ago. Most users and content creators migrated to other platforms without much trouble.

While the ban seems inevitable amid deepening distrust, removal of TikTok from the U.S. market will not solve the disinformation problem.

Partnering with the Indonesian tech giant will let TikTok regain access to the country’s e-commerce market, while providing the former with much-needed capital.