ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, is under mounting pressure in the United States as lawmakers advance legislation aimed at addressing national security concerns. While TikTok remains the primary target of this bipartisan effort, the broad language in the proposed bill has raised alarms for ByteDance’s entire suite of apps, including the popular video editor CapCut.
ByteDance’s Web of Apps in the Crosshairs
TikTok’s immense popularity has placed it at the center of the US government’s focus, but ByteDance’s other offerings are increasingly under scrutiny as well. The bill moving through Congress would restrict any app "operated, directly or indirectly" by companies based in foreign adversary nations, including China. This definition means that CapCut, along with ByteDance’s photo editing app Hypic, Pinterest-like Lemon8, and AI homework app Gauth, could also be caught in the legislative net. Another app that might be affected is SoundOn which allows artists to distribute music on TikTok and streaming services while maintaining ownership and getting royalties.
The stakes are high. If the bill becomes law, ByteDance would need to sell these apps to US-based companies to keep them operating in the country, which TikTok doesn't want to do. Lawmakers argue the move is necessary to protect national security, but it could fundamentally reshape ByteDance’s US operations, which extend beyond social media into areas like productivity software, music distribution, and even e-commerce.
And a ban on CapCut would leave millions of users scrambling for alternatives, disrupting workflows and impacting the creator economy.
What’s Driving the Legislation?
Concerns over data security have been at the forefront of the US government’s actions. Lawmakers have expressed fears that ByteDance’s apps could funnel user data to Chinese authorities—a claim ByteDance denies. While TikTok has been the face of these concerns, the bill’s broad language reflects an intention to address all apps that might pose similar risks.
TikTok, in turn, has argued that the proposed measures infringe on users’ First Amendment rights and could be unconstitutional.
CapCut Alternatives to Consider If It's Banned
If CapCut is banned, creators will need to adapt quickly to maintain their workflow. Here’s a closer look at some powerful alternatives that can help fill the gap:
1. AI Video Cut
Best for: Repurposing long videos into short, engaging clips.
AI Video Cut stands out with its intelligent video processing capabilities, making it a top choice for marketers, content creators, and influencers whose goal is to repurpose existing longer clips. This AI-powered tool is designed to cut longer videos into optimised short-form content tailored to platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and, yes, TikTok.
Key features:
- Thanks to a collection of tailored prompts, you can choose prompts like “Trailer,” “Product Features,” or “Instructions” to let the AI create content that fits your goals. Or you can create your own custom prompt that'll generate a video according to your specific goal and vision.
- Advanced cropping and face detection ensure your content looks perfect on any platform, adjusting dimensions and layouts for vertical or square videos.
- AI-driven subtitles are automatically added for accessibility and engagement, complete with customisable fonts and styles.
AI Video Cut simplifies content repurposing, saving your time and effort while producing polished results.
2. Adobe Premiere Rush
Best for: Professional-grade editing across devices.
Part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Premiere Rush is a robust yet beginner-friendly editor that syncs seamlessly across devices. Whether you're on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop, your projects stay updated in real-time.
Key features:
- With drag-and-drop simplicity, you can create sophisticated edits with minimal learning curve.
- Use customisable titles and graphics to add professional-looking text overlays.
- Thanks to cross-device editing, you can start a project on your phone and finish it on your computer.
- Easily transition to Premiere Pro for advanced editing or use Photoshop to tweak visuals is possible due to integration with other Adobe apps.
While Premiere Rush requires a subscription, its powerful features and Adobe ecosystem integration make it a worthy investment for serious creators.
3. VN Video Editor
Best for: Free yet feature-rich editing.
VN Video Editor is a popular choice among creators looking for a free tool that doesn’t compromise on features. This app is particularly appealing for social media enthusiasts and vloggers.
Key features:
- Multi-layer timeline allows precise control over video and audio tracks.
- Keyframe animation adds dynamic effects and transitions to make your content stand out.
- Due to speed control, you can easily create slow-motion or time-lapse effects.
- Wide format support allows you to export in a variety of formats and resolutions, including 4K.
VN’s user-friendly interface and zero cost make it an excellent alternative for creators of all levels.
4. InShot
Best for: Quick edits and simplicity.
InShot is widely recognised for its intuitive design and easy-to-use tools, making it a favourite among influencers and casual creators. It’s ideal for editing videos directly on your smartphone.
Key features:
- Basic editing tools like trim, cut, merge that allow you to adjust your videos effortlessly.
- Access a variety of filters, stickers, and text styles to customise your content.
- Add music or record voice-overs directly in the app.
- Predefined aspect ratios for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
InShot is perfect for quick edits and creators who want to produce quality videos without delving into advanced tools.
5. KineMaster
Best for: Advanced mobile editing.
KineMaster offers powerful editing features that rival desktop software, all within a mobile-friendly interface. It’s particularly useful for creators who want precise control over their edits without needing a computer.
Key features:
- Multi-layer editing allows you to work with multiple layers of video, images, text, and effects.
- Chroma key (green screen) lets you add creative backgrounds or overlays to your videos.
- Adjust volume, apply filters, or sync audio with precision.
- Support for 4K video at 60fps ensures professional-grade results.
KineMaster is a paid app, but its comprehensive toolset justifies the cost for creators seeking high-end features on mobile.
Good to Know: How to Back Up Your TikTok Content
If TikTok and CapCut face bans, safeguarding your existing content would be wise. Tools like 4K Tokkit allow users to back up TikTok videos to their computers with ease. This desktop app lets you download your own content and even save entire accounts with specific hashtags and music, ensuring your work isn’t lost amid regulatory turbulence.
What’s Next?
Nobody knows for sure. According to the Substack newsletter by Lia Haberman, it's yet unclear "whether Donald Trump will halt the impending ban — his recent Meet the Press comments were vague." However, what's known so far is that “unless TikTok executes a qualified divestiture by January 19, 2025 — or the President grants a 90-day extension based upon progress towards a qualified divestiture, § 2(a)(3) — its platform will effectively be unavailable in the United States, at least for a time. Consequently, TikTok’s millions of users will need to find alternative media of communication.”
For now, creators and users of ByteDance apps, including CapCut, should start exploring alternatives and preparing for potential disruptions. If you're a TikTok creator, back up your videos, upload them on Reels, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, Facebook Shorts, or Snapchat which now also prioritise shorter content as well as Threads, X, and Bluesky (depending on where your viewers are). And don't forget to let your followers know where to find you—either in TikTok bio or pinned video.
