With TikTok facing a likely ban in the United States within three days, users across the country are preemptively bidding farewell to the platform and exploring alternatives. The uncertainty has sparked a surge in downloads of both new and existing short-form video apps, as users, including influencers, prepare for the potential shutdown.

Influencer Jasmine Chiswell, who boasts 18 million TikTok followers, posted a video on Tuesday lamenting the app’s impending ban. “Me saying goodbye to 18 million best friends because TikTok is getting banned,” read her caption, accompanied by sad emojis.

Countdown to Ban Sparks Anxiety

The fear intensified after The Information reported late Tuesday that TikTok may shut down entirely for U.S. users by Sunday unless it secures a Supreme Court reprieve or finds an American owner. Earlier, many assumed the app would simply be removed from app stores, allowing current users temporary access.

The looming ban stems from U.S. national security concerns over TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, and the potential sharing of American user data with Beijing.

Rise of TikTok Alternatives

Amid the uncertainty, several lesser-known platforms have gained traction. Apps like RedNote (known as Xiaohongshu), Lemon8, Clapper, Flip, and Fanbase have seen significant downloads in recent days.

RedNote, a China-based app similar to Instagram, has climbed to the top of app store charts. Many U.S. users joined RedNote as a form of protest against the government’s actions. “Take away TikTok, and we’ll just use another Chinese app,” declared one user in a video. The influx of American users on RedNote has sparked humorous cultural exchanges, with users offering Mandarin lessons and sharing slang.

Lemon8, another ByteDance-owned platform, has also gained popularity. Previously marketed to U.S. users in early 2023, Lemon8 offers a Pinterest-like interface with lifestyle content. However, like TikTok, these apps could also face future restrictions under U.S. laws targeting platforms owned by “foreign adversaries.”

Non-Chinese platforms, such as Clapper and Flip, are also gaining momentum. Clapper, which includes live audio conversations, reported 1.4 million new users this week. Flip, a shopping-focused app, experienced such rapid growth that it faced temporary outages.

Mainstream Platforms Struggle to Match TikTok’s Appeal

While mainstream platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to benefit, many users argue they lack TikTok’s magic. TikTok’s algorithm, which uniquely predicts users’ preferences, remains unmatched. Creators have expressed concerns about losing TikTok’s authentic community and monetization tools, such as TikTok Shop.

“TikTok favors realism,” said creator Stormi Steele. “It’s about being authentic, and people resonate with that.”

As TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance, its users continue to search for a platform that replicates its unmatched features and community spirit.

China has launched an antitrust investigation into U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, the world’s leading producer of processors critical to artificial intelligence (AI), according to Chinese state media.

The probe, reported by China Central Television on Monday, centers on Nvidia’s 2020 acquisition of Israeli networking company Mellanox. While China had approved the merger at the time, authorities now suspect it may violate the country’s anti-monopoly laws. Specific allegations regarding the merger’s impact remain unclear.

Nvidia and the AI Revolution

Nvidia’s chips have become essential to powering the global AI boom. The company’s stock has surged nearly 200% this year, fueled by skyrocketing demand, and its market valuation exceeds $3 trillion, second only to Apple. Despite the investigation, Nvidia’s shares dipped less than 2% in premarket trading on Monday.

The investigation represents a new flashpoint in the intensifying U.S.-China battle over semiconductor dominance, which both nations view as a critical component of national security and future economic power.

Growing U.S.-China Tensions

The probe comes shortly after the U.S. imposed its third round of restrictions on high-tech memory chip sales to China, part of broader efforts to curb Beijing’s AI development. U.S. officials fear China could leverage AI technology for military advancements.

China has criticized the export controls, describing them as a “significant threat” to global supply chains. In response, Beijing last week banned the export of key materials, including germanium and gallium, essential for semiconductor manufacturing.

This follows earlier restrictions on these materials, which had allowed limited sales through loopholes. Those exceptions have now been closed.

Strategic Moves on Both Sides

In tandem with imposing restrictions, both nations are ramping up domestic chip production to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

The U.S. has invested billions through the CHIPS Act to boost its semiconductor industry, funneling funds to companies like Intel. Meanwhile, China recently announced its largest-ever semiconductor state investment fund of $47.5 billion, backed by major state-owned banks.

Nvidia Under Global Scrutiny

The investigation into Nvidia also highlights its global influence and challenges. The company is already under antitrust scrutiny in the United States, according to Bloomberg.

As Nvidia symbolizes the forefront of the AI revolution, any setbacks from Chinese regulatory action could hinder its ambitions to dominate AI technology worldwide.

The U.S.-China chip conflict underscores the geopolitical stakes of semiconductor technology, with both countries vying for supremacy in a sector that underpins modern economies and defense capabilities.

The United States has implemented new export controls targeting high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a critical component in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, to restrict China’s access to advanced technology. These restrictions apply to both US-made and foreign-produced HBM technology, highlighting the ongoing tech rivalry between the two nations.

What is High-Bandwidth Memory?

HBM chips are cutting-edge memory components capable of storing and transmitting data faster than traditional dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). Designed for high-performance computing systems, graphics cards, data centers, and autonomous vehicles, HBM chips are vital for powering AI applications, including generative AI models.

G Dan Hutcheson, Vice Chair of TechInsights, explained the importance of HBM in AI systems: “The processor and the memory are two essential components to AI. Without the memory, it’s like having a brain with logic but not having any memory.”

Impact on China’s Tech Industry

The latest restrictions, announced on December 2, build upon previous measures introduced by the Biden administration over the last three years. These controls aim to prevent China from acquiring technologies that could bolster its military capabilities.

In response, China imposed its own restrictions on exporting critical materials like germanium and gallium, essential for semiconductor manufacturing.

Experts suggest the new rules will temporarily hinder China’s ability to acquire high-quality HBM chips but are unlikely to permanently block its progress. “In the short run, China’s access to advanced HBM will be curtailed,” said Jeffery Chiu, CEO of Ansforce. “However, in the long term, China is likely to develop its own production capabilities, albeit with less advanced technology.”

China’s leading memory chip producers, Yangtze Memory Technologies and Changxin Memory Technologies, are reportedly ramping up efforts to establish HBM production lines, aligning with the nation’s strategic goal of tech self-sufficiency.

HBM’s Role in AI Advancements

HBM chips are prized for their larger storage capacity and faster data transmission speeds, which are critical for the performance of AI applications. These attributes allow AI models to process complex computations without delays or glitches, significantly enhancing their efficiency.

Global Leaders in HBM Production

The global HBM market is dominated by three major players: South Korea’s SK Hynix and Samsung, and the US-based Micron Technology. Together, Hynix and Samsung control around 90% of the market, with Micron aiming to increase its share to 20–25% by 2025.

Manufacturing Challenges and Costs

HBM production involves stacking ultra-thin memory layers, each as thin as half the diameter of a human hair, using advanced packaging techniques. This complex process makes HBM chips significantly more expensive than conventional memory chips.

“The precision required in drilling and stacking these chips is extraordinary, making the process akin to building a house of cards,” Hutcheson noted.

The Broader Implications

As the competition in AI and semiconductor technology intensifies, these restrictions signal the US’s intent to maintain a technological edge, while China’s focus on self-reliance underscores the high stakes in this global tech rivalry.