As unlikely as it may seem, the noose is tightening around Chinese-owned social media phenomenon TikTok. Were it to be banned outright, what impact would this have on the short form video creator community? Adrian Pennington investigates…
With north of one billion monthly users and annual revenue in excess of $10bn, plus a reach which touches virtually every aspect of business and culture, TikTok is arguably the most influential social video app on the planet.
Yet it could be switched off in the Western world as concerns mount about user data flowing back to Beijing. As draconian as it might seem, pressure is growing on regulators to act. This is particularly acute in the US as it enters the presidential election cycle and where government divisions, nineteen states and dozens of college campuses have already outlawed its use.
“TikTok is under scrutiny for good reason, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that it’s terminal,” said Tom Morrod, Co-founder, Caretta Research. “It seems likely that there will be some limitations imposed in the US and Europe, but there may be a couple of reasonable steps that TikTok can take to avoid being banned outright...
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
IBC2026: Creating meaningful opportunities for start-ups, students, educators and innovators
IBC2026 is set to tackle the media and entertainment industry’s talent shortage this week, with several initiatives designed to give students the chance to attend the show, meet industry professionals and start building connections for their careers.
IBC Accelerator: Agentic AI for live sports
With an eye on the future, this IBC Accelerator plans to move beyond isolated use cases and demonstrate how agentic AI can be applied across the full live media value chain, from automated production tasks to highlight generation, personalisation, and monetisation.
.jpg)
Innovation Awards: Stories behind Content Everywhere finalists
The Content Everywhere finalists in this year’s IBC Innovation Awards run the gamut across: a giant DTV+ implementation project in Brazil; the Premier League’s connected fan experience; and the AI-generated phenomenon Tilly Norwood. Fergal Ringrose, Chair of Judges for the IBC Innovation Awards, reveals why.
Edinburgh TV Festival 2026 review: So long, and thanks for all the views
As this year's edition of the TV Festival is the last to be held in Edinburgh before the move to Manchester, change in many forms featured high on the agenda. The message was that change is not just coming, it's already here – so deal with it.
.jpg)
Sir Gary Oldman: “There’s an anxiety going into any project”
With the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Global Icon Award in hand, Sir Gary Oldman delivered a candid acceptance speech, revealing how his unique techniques, mindset, and early experiences in the industry brought his most iconic roles to life.
