Banuba’s Role in Supporting Alternatives Amid TikTok Ban Discussions

On January 19, popular social media platform TikTok experienced a temporary service suspension that lasted approximately 12 hours. While the platform was restored shortly after, many users began exploring alternatives during the downtime. One notable example was the emergence of RedNote, a competing Chinese app that reportedly gained 700,000 new users in this brief period.

Banuba’s Role in Supporting Alternatives Amid TikTok Ban Discussions
Banuba’s Role in Supporting Alternatives Amid TikTok Ban Discussions

On January 19, popular social media platform TikTok experienced a temporary service suspension that lasted approximately 12 hours. While the platform was restored shortly after, many users began exploring alternatives during the downtime. One notable example was the emergence of RedNote, a competing Chinese app that reportedly gained 700,000 new users in this brief period.

Despite its return to functionality, TikTok’s challenges in the United States are far from resolved. Former President Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order giving TikTok a 75-day deadline to comply with U.S. regulations. However, as of January 22, the app remained unavailable for download on both App Store and Google Play, casting uncertainty over its future. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has refused multiple acquisition offers, further complicating the app’s position in the U.S. market.

If TikTok faces a permanent ban, its 170 million American users may be compelled to migrate to new platforms. This creates a significant opportunity for emerging apps to capture the short video platform market. In this context, tools like Banuba Video Editor SDK are being recognized as instrumental for developers looking to expedite their app launches and attract users swiftly.

The Banuba Video Editor SDK offers a comprehensive suite of tools for video content creation, editing, and processing. Its features include:

  • A video editing package similar to TikTok,
  • Audio editing capabilities,
  • Integration with royalty-free music providers,
  • Picture-in-picture mode for duet-style videos,
  • AR masks,
  • Color filters, and transition effects.

A similar situation unfolded in India in 2021 when the government banned TikTok alongside 58 other Chinese apps. This paved the way for local platforms like Chingari, Josh, and Mitron to gain prominence. Notably, Chingari utilized the Banuba Video Editor SDK to transition quickly into the short-video space, demonstrating the effectiveness of such tools in reducing time-to-market by as much as 50%.

As TikTok’s future remains uncertain, companies and developers are likely to focus on creating platforms that replicate its user experience to attract displaced users. Emerging apps that leverage tools like Banuba Video Editor SDK may gain a competitive edge, accelerating their entry into the market and ensuring a seamless experience for users seeking alternatives.

About Banuba
With over eight years in the market, Banuba specializes in augmented reality technologies, including face tracking and virtual background solutions. The company serves businesses of all sizes across various industries worldwide.