The tide has turned for TikTok's detractors. While a ban on the Chinese social network in the USA had content creators shaking in their boots, it would appear that support for such a policy has weakened. While in March 2023, 50% of those questioned wanted TikTok to be shut down, this figure has dropped to 32%, according to a recent poll.

Will the war against TikTok come to an end sooner than expected? While the US government launched hostilities against the Chinese platform, it would appear that public support for a ban is waning with time. According to a Pew Research poll of 10,658 US adults conducted between July 15 and August 4, 2024, 28% of Americans oppose a potential ban on the Chinese app in their country. This percentage is up on March 2023, when 22% were opposed to the proposal.

The dynamic has also changed among supporters of the current US administration. Thirty-two percent of respondents support the current government regarding a ban on TikTok on US soil. This compares with 38% in autumn 2023 and 50% in March 2023. Here too, the momentum seems to have run out.

Among the undecided, the answer is no longer so clear-cut. Whereas 28% in March 2023 didn't know whether the government was right to ban TikTok, 39% are now undecided.

Republican Party supporters are more inclined to support shutting down TikTok at 42% versus 24% among Democrats. Back in March 2023, they were, respectively, 60% and 43% in agreement with the government's will.

As far as users are concerned, while the vast majority (61%) are against banning TikTok, 29% are not entirely sure. In fact, surprisingly, 10% even support banning of the Chinese social network in the USA. "Support for a ban has decreased within both groups between March 2023 and now. Among US adults who don’t use TikTok, support has fallen sharply, from 60% in March 2023 to 42%. And among users, it’s fallen from 19% to 10% over that period,” reads the study.

And while the ban is still the subject of debate in that country, 54% of Americans who support the ban nonetheless believe that the measure will not pass. The percentage rises to 56% among those opposed to the ban. The outcome of the US presidential election could seal TikTok's fate.

 - AFP Relaxnews