Content creators are flocking to a new social media platform in anticipation of a ban on TikTok that may be implemented in less than two weeks. However, the two apps are owned by the same Chinese parent company and could both become unavailable, if the ban is put into place.
Lemon8, a social media platform described as a “lifestyle community,” has quickly become the No. 1 app in the Apple App Store and has been downloaded by more than 10 million Google Play Store users as of Tuesday.
Lemon8 functions a bit like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest, all in one. The platform, per its description in the Apple App Store, prides itself in offering a one-stop shop for photo/video editing and sharing.
Lemon8 app was developed and is owned by ByteDance, the Chinese company that also owns TikTok. Last spring, President Joe Biden signed legislation into law that would require ByteDance to sell TikTok and any other apps by Jan. 19. If ByteDance fails to do so, TikTok, and any other ByteDance-owned apps, in this case Lemon8, will be banned in the U.S. The apps will no longer be available for download in app stores and internet service providers will be required to ban associated websites.
Here’s what to know about Lemon8 and how the ban on TikTok could affect it.
When was Lemon8 released?
Lemon8 was released in Asian markets in 2020 and in the U.S. in February 2023.
Does ByteDance own Lemon8?
Yes, Lemon8 was developed and is owned by ByteDance, the Chinese company that also developed and owns TikTok.
Will Lemon8 be banned if TikTok is banned?
Lemon8 is not explicitly named in the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Control Applications App, which would implement the ban on TikTok. However, the legislation does address “any other applications or service development or provided by ByteDance.” Therefore, Lemon8 could be affected.
Christopher Krepich, communications director for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, told Forbes that Lemon8 would be banned by the legislation. The House committee supported the legislation.
TikTok, Lemon8 nor the House Committee on Energy and Commerce immediately responded for comment when contacted by USA TODAY on Tuesday.
Another popular video-editing app may also be banned
CapCut − Video Editor, is another popular app owned by ByteDance that may be banned in the states on Jan. 19. The app provides a mobile-friendly way to edit videos. As of Tuesday, the app was the No. 1 photo and video app downloaded from the Apple App Store and had been downloaded more than one billion times from the Google Play Store.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
