Since we have been encouraged to stay indoors this past summer, a lot of people have used the extra time immersing themselves in the social media app, TikTok. Just as the app has grown in popularity, it has grown in controversy as well. President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down  the app multiple times in the past few months, and even mentioned it again within this past week. Before you start stressing out about your favorite social media app shutting down, here are the facts. 

  TikTok started to make national news back in June when users and K-Pop fans took part in Trump’s abysmal rally numbers in Tulsa. His re-election campaign chairman Brad Parscale tweeted that over one million tickets had been requested for the rally. There ended up being only 6,200 people in attendance and President Trump had to cancel the outdoor rally scheduled for the expected overflow of attendees. The TikTok and K-Pop fans claimed to have reserved free tickets online with no intention of attending the event. . 

  An executive order was made by the President on August 6 addressing the threat posed by TikTok. In this order Trump said, “Specifically, the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People’s Republic of China (China) continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.” he continued, “At this time, action must be taken to address the threat posed by one mobile application in particular, TikTok.”

  Naturally, TikTok creators and users became increasingly worried about the state of the app. When the rumors about banning the app were first announced, TikTok’s United States General Manager Vanessa Pappas posted a video on the app’s official account reassuring everyone that the ban is not likely to happen. After thanking both creators and users for their support and addressing the thousands of jobs TikTok has created for Americans she ended saying, “We’re building the safest app, because we know it is the right thing to do. So we appreciate the support, we’re here for the long run, and continue to share your voice here.”

  Sanderson Freshman Macy Harris has had TikTok for years. When she first downloaded the app, it was still under the name Musical.ly. Over the years, she has watched it turn into a more creative and funny platform. She expressed how much she would miss the app saying, “I spend so much time on TikTok. I love posting random videos and I have found some of the funniest creators of our generation on the app.”

  After over a month of hearing no word from the app or President Trump, users thought the issue was swept under the rug, until recently. The Trump administration announced its plans to move forward with the ban, and what this means for American workers. In a court filing on Monday, the US government said that the ban will not restrict workers from receiving their appropriate wages or benefits, but penalties will be stiff for people not abiding by the restrictions that will be put into place. 

  While there are still not a lot of specific details about the ban thus far, President Trump has made it clear that he will continue to push for restrictions on the app. As of right now, there is nothing to worry about and you can continue to enjoy the app, but it is important to not give up hope quite yet.