# TikTok Promotes Lemon8 within the US as Ban Looms

Okay, simply to make clear, if a TikTok ban is applied within the U.S., it should additionally affect all of ByteDance’s different apps which can be obtainable within the area, together with Lemon8, its Instagram-like product showcase app.

Although there’s some confusion round this, and clearly, ByteDance itself is seeking to capitalize on such, by launching promotions inside TikTok that urge customers emigrate to Lemon8.

As reported by Axios:

“In the previous few weeks, Lemon8 has been selling its app to TikTok customers via sponsored TikTok movies […] In November, TikTok additionally started informing customers of its sister app, Lemon8, that starting late that month, Lemon8 can be powered by TikTok, and their TikTok usernames would even be used on Lemon8.”

Axios additional notes that the Lemon8 adverts seem to have been a part of an earlier promotional marketing campaign for the app, however ByteDance is now re-pushing them, in an effort to enhance Lemon8 sign-ups as TikTok’s sale deadline looms.

Although what the precise function of that push could be is unclear.

As acknowledged within the “Defending People from Overseas Adversary Managed Functions” act, which is the official doc that’s getting used to drive TikTok’s sale within the U.S.:

“The time period “international adversary managed utility” means a web site, desktop utility, cellular utility, or augmented or immersive expertise utility that’s operated, straight or not directly (together with via a mother or father firm, subsidiary, or affiliate), by any of ByteDance, Ltd., TikTok, a subsidiary of or a successor to an entity recognized in clause (i) or (ii) that’s managed by a international adversary; or an entity owned or managed, straight or not directly, by an entity recognized in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).”

So it’s fairly clear, any app owned by ByteDance shall be topic to elimination within the U.S. as soon as that is enacted.

Which is scheduled for January nineteenth, which implies that until one thing adjustments, TikTok shall be faraway from U.S. app shops on that date, together with Lemon8, CapCut, TikTok Studio, and many others.

That might nonetheless change. Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has filed an amicus transient with the Supreme Court docket to delay any closing resolution on TikTok until after his inauguration on the twentieth, and if that’s granted, it will give Trump extra alternative to barter a deal to avoid wasting the app. And Trump has repeatedly signaled that he’s eager to take action, if given the possibility.

Excessive-profile investor Kevin O’Leary can be seeking to strike a deal to purchase the app, ideally with Trump’s assist, and that may present another choice to preserve TikTok within the U.S.

Although even then, that wouldn’t save ByteDance’s different apps, as per the wording of the invoice. So it seems like Lemon8 and CapCut are out both manner, until Trump can negotiate a brand new settlement that doesn’t exclude Chinese language possession.

Which looks like a stretch, and as such, why ByteDance can be even selling Lemon8 within the U.S. is just a little bizarre.

Perhaps it’s hoping that Lemon8 may slip below the radar, because it’s technically owned by “TikTok Pte. Ltd.”, not ByteDance, as per its App Retailer itemizing. Or perhaps it’s simply seeking to juice Lemon8’s numbers whereas it could possibly, earlier than shedding connection to all of its U.S. customers.

Regardless, if there’s anybody who’s not sure what the TikTok ban may imply for these different apps, as you’ll be able to see within the wording above, it’s fairly clear that they received’t be allowed to stay within the U.S.   

I extremely doubt that Apple or Google are going to permit them to stay obtainable, in violation of the act, as soon as it comes into impact.