Lemon8, the sister app of TikTok, has rapidly climbed the ranks to become one of the top free apps on the Apple App Store. Developed by ByteDance, the same Chinese company that owns TikTok, Lemon8 has seen a surge in popularity amidst uncertainties surrounding a potential ban on its more famous sibling, TikTok.
The future of both TikTok and Lemon8 hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court prepares to make a crucial decision this month regarding a law that could lead to the banning of these social media platforms in the United States. The law in question, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was passed by Congress in April and requires ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19 to avoid a ban.
Lemon8, which utilizes the same algorithm as TikTok but focuses on photo slideshows rather than short videos, has quickly risen to prominence, claiming the top spot for free apps on the Apple App Store this week. Despite its differences in content format from TikTok, Lemon8 could face a similar fate if the law is enforced.
The legal battle surrounding the potential ban of TikTok has been ongoing, with TikTok challenging the constitutionality of the law on First Amendment grounds. After the DC Circuit Court upheld the law on December 6, TikTok appealed to the Supreme Court, which is set to hear arguments on January 10. President-elect Donald Trump has also weighed in on the issue, filing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to delay the law’s implementation.
Trump’s involvement has added a layer of complexity to the situation, as he seeks a “political resolution” to the matter. While the law specifically targets TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, its broad language could encompass other applications like Lemon8 that are owned by foreign entities categorized as “adversaries.”
Industry experts have noted that the success of Lemon8 underscores ByteDance’s determination to innovate and expand its app offerings in the face of regulatory challenges. David Glancy, a professor at the Institute of World Politics, emphasized that ByteDance is committed to sustaining its business growth, even in the event of a TikTok ban.
As the legal battle over TikTok and potentially Lemon8 unfolds, the tech industry and social media users alike are closely watching to see how the Supreme Court’s decision will impact the future of these popular apps. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the outcome, both TikTok and Lemon8 continue to attract users and maintain their positions as prominent players in the social media landscape.
