Snap CEO Evan Spiegel expressed support for a ban on TikTok in the short term, citing concerns about data privacy and national security. However, he also acknowledged that a ban could set a dangerous precedent and emphasized the need for a more comprehensive regulatory framework to address security concerns in technology. TikTok has been under scrutiny in the US since 2020, with lawmakers concerned about data privacy, the spread of misinformation, and the safety of minors. Last week, Montana became the first US state to approve a bill banning the video app. Despite this, TikTok has remained hugely popular with users and has put pressure on other social-media platforms to emulate its success. Snap has tried to keep up with TikTok’s success by rolling out a creator program and a short-form video feed.
TikTok’s success has certainly put pressure on other social media platforms to keep up and innovate. Snapchat, which is now known as Snap, has also introduced new features in an effort to compete with TikTok. For example, Snap has rolled out a creator program that helps influencers monetize their content and a short-form video feed called Spotlight, which showcases user-generated content. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to capture the attention of users who have flocked to TikTok.