TikTok faces another sale deadline on Saturday, and if a US buyer does not intervene or President Donald Trump does not extend the deadline, the app could disappear for US users. Along with TikTok, Lemon8, a lifestyle community app owned by the same parent company ByteDance, could also be caught in the crossfire. Lemon8 is a video- and photo-sharing platform that focuses on lifestyle topics such as beauty, fashion, travel, food, and more. The app has gained popularity with over 10 million downloads on the Google Play store and is described as a community-driven app powered by TikTok.
Lemon8 differentiates itself from other platforms with its Pinterest board-style layout and topic-specific tabs for Fashion, Beauty, Food, Wellness, Travel, and Home. The app incorporates posts that can be swipeable photo collections or TikTok-style videos, with some creators adding text to label objects or products in their posts. Lemon8 also features templates for captions to help users quickly format their posts and provide ideas for captions related to fashion, shopping finds, beauty, food, and travel. Unlike other platforms, Lemon8 focuses more on influencer ads and product recommendations rather than memes or jokes.
People’s reactions to Lemon8 have been mostly positive, with some likening it to a combination of Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. However, there are suspicions that some creators promoting Lemon8 may have been paid by ByteDance, the app’s parent company. With ByteDance positioning Lemon8 as an Instagram rival amid declining engagement on Instagram, the app’s growth suggests a potential alternative for users seeking a lifestyle-focused platform. Despite the positive reception, the looming ban on TikTok could also affect Lemon8, considering they are both owned by ByteDance.
The privacy policy of Lemon8 is similar to that of other social media apps, collecting personal and location information to enhance user experience. However, the policy raises concerns as it states that personal information may be stored on servers located outside the user’s country of residence. This differs from how TikTok handles user data, with US-based data stored on Oracle servers and access monitored by a US-based security team. Despite these privacy implications, users interested in trying Lemon8 can download the app for free and explore its instructional guide-like content.
As the deadline for TikTok’s sale approaches, the fate of Lemon8 remains uncertain, as the app could potentially be banned alongside TikTok. With ByteDance’s aggressive marketing strategy for Lemon8 as an Instagram alternative, the app’s growth suggests a promising future. Users considering downloading Lemon8 should be aware of its lifestyle-focused content and promotional nature, as well as the potential privacy implications outlined in the app’s privacy policy. Amidst the ban on TikTok, users can explore alternative platforms and stay informed about developments in the ongoing saga surrounding the popular app.
