As the US elections approach, TikTok faces a pivotal moment that could significantly impact its future in the American market. Despite concerns surrounding potential regulatory actions, many employees express surprising detachment from the political drama that may determine the app’s fate. This trend highlights a broader phenomenon in the tech industry, where innovation often takes precedence over external pressures.
A new outlook
A product manager based in San Jose, who requested anonymity, reflects on his changing perspective since joining TikTok earlier this year. “Initially, I was worried about a TikTok ban. Now, my colleagues and I focus on developing future product features as if there’s no imminent threat”, he explains. This sentiment is shared by others, indicating a collective resolve to maintain business as usual despite uncertainties.
Discussions about a potential ban tend to occur more frequently with international colleagues than within US offices. “We’ve reached a consensus to avoid talking about this issue”, he notes. While some employees occasionally consider other job opportunities, such conversations are infrequent, showing a general acceptance of their current roles.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), signed into law in April, mandates that TikTok either divest its US operations or face a ban. However, urgency around the issue has diminished in recent months, with political discussions about China continuing to dominate election narratives while TikTok‘s fate slips from the headlines.
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Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to comment on her intentions regarding TikTok, but experts anticipate she will largely follow the Biden administration’s tech policies. In contrast, former President Donald Trump has shifted his stance, saying in a recent campaign video, “For all of those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump”, though he has not prioritized this issue on the campaign trail.
Navigating the legal landscape
The prevailing sentiment among TikTok employees is that neither candidate offers a significantly better outlook for the company, given its Chinese origins. A ByteDance research scientist emphasizes, “In the long term, neither candidate will favor TikTok due to its origins”. This ongoing concern has contributed to a decline in discussions about a potential ban, as employees grow increasingly desensitized to recurring headlines.
Many believe those most anxious about job security may have already left, having grown weary of the speculation surrounding TikTok’s future. “It’s a classic case of alarm fatigue”, notes the scientist. Employees generally feel that their jobs are not immediately at risk, anticipating that the legal battles surrounding the ban may take months or years to resolve.
Despite the uncertainty, TikTok employees remain confident in their prospects within the tech sector, believing ByteDance will take proactive measures to safeguard their positions. “Even if TikTok faces a ban, I’m confident that ByteDance will find solutions to retain its workforce”, asserts the ByteDance scientist.
