TikTok Promotes Lemon8 in the US as Ban Looms

Okay, just to clarify, if the TikTok ban is implemented in the US, it will affect all of ByteDance’s other apps available in the region, including Lemon8, its Instagram-like product showcase app.

Although there is some confusion about this, and it is clear that ByteDance itself wants to take advantage of this, running promotions within TikTok which encourage users to switch to Lemon8.

As reported Axios:

“For the past few weeks, Lemon8 has been promoting its TikTok app to users through sponsored TikTok videos […] In November, TikTok also began notifying users of its sister app, Lemon8, that at the end of that month Lemon8 would be powered by TikTok, and their TikTok usernames would also be used on Lemon8.“

Axios further notes that Lemon8’s ads appear to have been part of an earlier promotional campaign for the app, but ByteDance is now pushing them again, to boost Lemon8’s sign-ups as TikTok’s sales deadline approaches.

Although it is not clear what the real purpose of that push could be.

As stated in “Protecting Americans from applications controlled by foreign adversaries”.which is the official document used to force the sale of TikTok in the US:

“The term “app controlled by a foreign adversary” means a website, desktop application, mobile application, or augmented or immersive technology application operated, directly or indirectly (including through a parent company, subsidiary or affiliate), by any of ByteDance, Ltd. ., TikTok, a subsidiary or successor of an entity referred to in clause (i) or (ii) that is controlled by the opposing party; or an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity identified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii).”

So it’s pretty clear that any app owned by ByteDance will be subject to takedown in the US once this is enacted.

Which is scheduled for January 19, which means TikTok will be removed from US app stores on that date, unless something changes, along with Lemon8, CapCut, TikTok Studio, etc.

That could still change. Incoming US President Donald Trump has submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court to delay any final decision on TikTok until after his inauguration on the 20th, and if approved, it would give Trump more room to negotiate a deal to save the app. And Trump has repeatedly signaled this he wants to do itif given the chance.

Prominent investor Kevin O’Leary also wants to enter into an application purchase agreementideally with Trump’s help, and that could provide an alternative option for TikTok to stay in the US

Although even then it wouldn’t save ByteDance’s other apps, according to the text of the law. So it looks like Lemon8 and CapCut are both out, unless Trump can negotiate a new deal that doesn’t exclude Chinese ownership.

Which seems excessive, and as such, it’s a little strange why ByteDance would promote Lemon8 in the US at all.

Maybe he’s hoping that Lemon8 can slip under the radar, since it’s technically owned by “TikTok Pte. Ltd.”, not ByteDance, according to his App Store listing. Or maybe he’s just trying to reduce Lemon8’s numbers while he can, before he loses contact with all his US users.

Regardless, if there’s anyone you know who isn’t sure what the TikTok ban might mean for these other apps, as you can see above, it’s pretty clear they won’t be allowed to stay in the US

I highly doubt that Apple or Google will allow them to remain available, in violation of the law, once it goes into effect.