A U.S. government ban of TikTok could push users to figure out alternative ways to access the app, something that has become more common in other parts of the world as governments have instituted varying rules on tech companies. On Wednesday, the House passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would amount to a ban on TikTok unless TikTok’s parent company sells the app.
If a sale didn’t happen, it could set off an unprecedented situation in American history: A popular smartphone app used by half the country’s population would suddenly become banned. Under the language of the bill, app stores would be forbidden from hosting any banned app. That would mostly apply to Google, which maintains the Play Store for Android users; and Apple, which hosts the App Store. Neither company responded to a request for comment, but both historically comply with U.S. law.