If you’ve followed millions of other TikTok creators over to the sister app Lemon8 to escape a possible TikTok ban, it’s possible the one ban would remove both apps for US users. While it’s a grey area, it could be lumped in with TikTok, making it pointless as a US alternative to TikTok.
Why Lemon8 May Be Included
If you’re like me, you’ve seen quite a few TikTok creators pushing for their followers to move to Lemon8, especially over the last several months. Even ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, has been promoting Lemon8 as a TikTok alternative just in case the app gets banned.
But, there’s one major issue – Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance, the same company the US government has been pressuring to sell off TikTok. The government wants ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American-based company out of fears the Chinese government is using TikTok to spy on American users and gather data.
So, if Lemon8 is owned by the exact same China-based company, the US government isn’t going to trust it any more than TikTok. It’s not TikTok itself that’s the problem – it’s the company behind it. This means the TikTok alternative app has the same major flaw and could fall within the TikTok ban that could happen as soon as January 19th.
Lemon8 Gaining Popularity Anyway
Of course, many users may not realize who owns the latest trending social network app. It’s currently the number one lifestyle app in the Apple App Store. And, it has over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store.
It’s powered by TikTok and offers an experience somewhere between Pinterest, TikTok, and even a little Instagram. It features a full suite of editing tools, templates, stickers, and more. Since it’s a lifestyle app, the content focuses more on fashion, beauty, food, etc. But, that’s a lot of what you find on TikTok as well.
If the app sounds brand new to you, it’s only because it’s gaining popularity so quickly with a TikTok ban looming. It actually launched back in 2020 in Japan, but didn’t release in the US and UK until 2023. At first, it didn’t go over so well here, but with a ban so close, users are flocking over to try it and remain part of the TikTok community, even if it means using an alternative app.
Legislation Does Include Lemon8
The proposed legislation banning TikTok does include Lemon8, even if it doesn’t explicitly list it. How? It bans all ByteDance-owned apps if they’re not sold. This could even include the video editing app – CapCut.
Even if you already have the apps downloaded, a ban would remove them from US app stores and any Internet service providers (ISPs) would start blocking access. The most obvious workaround would be using a VPN.
As to what will happen – President-elect Donald Trump has switched sides after initially wanting to ban TikTok and suddenly wants to save it. Between the US Supreme Court granting one last hearing and Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, there is still hope a ban won’t happen.
Image credit: Flickr
