With a TikTok ban looming in the United States, all eyes are on tech innovators and investors scrambling to fill the void.
Enter entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban, who has thrown his hat into the ring with an intriguing offer: he’s ready to fund a TikTok alternative.
But on the condition that it’s built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol.
Cuban’s vision for a TikTok alternative
In a TikTok video posted Wednesday, Cuban invited developers to create a replacement for TikTok using the AT Protocol, a decentralised framework designed for open social media apps.
@mcuban Let me know in the comments ! https://docs.bsky.app/docs/advanced-guides/atproto. #savetiktok #tiktok## shout out to @Austin ♬ original sound – Mark Cuban
He said he’s open to investing in such a project “with somebody, anybody.”
But why the AT Protocol?
Cuban believes it offers features that traditional platforms like TikTok lack, including account portability.
This means users could switch servers without losing their followers, content, or data, creating a more user-centric and competition-friendly ecosystem.
What’s the AT Protocol?
The AT Protocol powers Bluesky, a social networking app with a growing user base, currently boasting over 27.6 million users.
Unlike traditional social platforms, the AT Protocol allows developers to create their own apps and servers, enabling a decentralised, interoperable web.
This technology addresses concerns about monopolies and restrictive platforms. As Cuban put it:
“It’s extensible… nobody can just buy it, nobody can just close it.”
TikTok’s uncertain future in the US
The US government has mandated that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its US operations by 19 January 2025. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok could go dark for its 170 million US users.
Listen to Tech Nation’s Cheryl Kahla talk about it on Power FM:
Read: TikTok ban: What happens if the popular app disappears in the US?
While this move is framed as a national security measure, some argue it’s part of a broader tech rivalry between the US and China.
Cuban’s proposal comes as users explore alternatives like RedNote and Bluesky.
However, a Cuban-funded TikTok replacement built on the AT Protocol could stand out by offering a decentralised, user-first experience.
Beef with X
Cuban’s push for an ATProto-based platform isn’t just about replacing TikTok—it’s also about challenging Elon Musk’s X.
Cuban has, in the past, publicly criticised Musk’s content moderation policies and views this as an opportunity to provide a more transparent and user-friendly alternative.
You first https://t.co/UsITZmObRq
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) December 29, 2024
What’s next?
Cuban is calling on developers to create a minimum viable product (MVP) to showcase the possibilities of an ATProto-based TikTok alternative.
“Let me know in the comments,” Cuban urged in his video, emphasising his eagerness to see this vision come to life.
As TikTok users brace for potential disruption, Cuban’s idea presents a glimmer of hope for the future of social media.
Whether his vision materialises or not, the conversation about decentralisation, privacy, and user control is gaining momentum.