Dusted.

Dusted.

  • dariusj18@lemmy.worldEnglish
    201·
    10 hours ago

    Correct me if I am wrong, but the part where they take the apps/games down is theatrics, right? They law simply removes them from app stores and has no ability to restrict their actual operations?

    • BananaTrifleViolin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      29·
      10 hours ago

      The law bans the distribution of the app and applies fines to the app store companies of $5,000 per user who is able to access the app to download it.

      So yes, TikToks position is theatrics - current users could continue to access the app but that would mean a slow inevitable decline as no one new could join and the user base would inevitably decline over time. Its not in TikToks interests to allow that and it would take pressure off politicians to do anything. So they’re within their rights to muddy the water and block access with a message blaming it on the politicians.

      If tiktok were to distribute the app for side loading - like Epic did withita game store - they would probably be open to the same fines as they would become an app distributor.

    • BrikoX@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
      18·
      10 hours ago

      Correct, the law only mandates it being banned from being installed. The blackout for all existing US users is a choice of ByteDance.

    • wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      422·
      10 hours ago

      My guy, open the article for a moment. Just like TikTok, when you open the app it simply gives a message that they cannot operate in the US. It’s the first image in the article.

      So no, the apps are not functional unless you use a VPN to get a non-US IP address.

      • lewdian69@lemmy.worldEnglish
        24·
        10 hours ago

        That wasn’t the question. We all know they are not functioning currently. “Is that the letter of the law or is Bytedance choosing to stop them from functioning?”
        Not, “what does this article say about their current functionality?”

        • v_krishna@lemmy.mlEnglish
          2·
          5 hours ago

          My daughter reports as of this morning (in California) it’s working again. No more splash message like she was seeing last night.

          • nocturne@sopuli.xyzEnglish
            1·
            4 hours ago

            Oh good, I have not been able to find my Chinese spy on 小红书 so I was hoping to send him a message on TikTok today.