The U.S. is on the brink of a potential TikTok ban, with the nation's highest court upholding a law that will halt new downloads of the app starting Sunday. The uncertainty surrounding the ban has left millions of users and content creators in a state of limbo, especially influencers and small business owners who rely on TikTok for income.
One such individual is a comedian, actor, and content creator with 1.5 million followers on TikTok, who expressed concerns about the impending chaos as the deadline approaches. The Supreme Court's unanimous decision on Friday upheld a federal law that requires TikTok to be sold by its China-based parent company before January 19 to avoid the ban.
President Joe Biden's administration has indicated that TikTok must change ownership to address national security concerns but may not enforce the law on Sunday, the last full day of Biden's term. The future actions regarding the ban under the new administration remain unclear.
Experts suggest that while existing users may retain access to the app after the ban takes effect, new downloads and updates will be unavailable, eventually rendering the app inoperable. This uncertainty has caused disruptions for TikTok creators and influencers, who may need to pivot to other platforms.
Content creators like Janette Ok and Jordan Smith, who have built their brands and businesses on TikTok, fear the impact of losing the platform. Ok highlighted the opportunities TikTok has provided her as an influencer and artist, while Smith expressed concerns about reaching her niche audience without TikTok.
Small business owners like Alejandro Flores-Munoz and Ruben Trujillo, who have leveraged TikTok for marketing and growth, are also apprehensive about the ban's potential effects on their businesses. Flores-Munoz emphasized his reliance on the app for business growth, while Trujillo expressed frustration with the political uncertainties surrounding the ban.
As the ban looms, many TikTok users and creators remain hopeful for a resolution to avert the shutdown. The impact of a TikTok ban extends beyond just a social media platform, as it has become a vital source of income and community for many individuals.
