Security, Privacy & Tech Inquiries

The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is a significant moment for both technology and geopolitics. Beginning January 19, 2025, TikTok is to be removed from U.S. app stores unless it completely severs its ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Businesses and creators relying on TikTok are unhappy. API access for marketers and developers will be lost, disrupting broader integrations.

So welcome to geopolitical and national security impact on global technologies and digital platforms. Laws targeting foreign-controlled platforms can disrupt entire ecosystems. However, modern web technologies, such as Progressive Web Applications, may change the game.

Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) operate independently of centralized app stores. These are browser-based applications that users can add directly to their home screen, providing a user experience similar to native apps. TikTok already has a web version, and turning it into a fully developed PWA could enable:

The TikTok ban aims to limit access, but the realities of digital technologies may complicate simplistic enforcements. Technologies like Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow users to bypass restrictions.  

Leave a Comment