As the U.S. House of Representatives passes a critical bill, TikTok content creators find themselves at a crossroads, fearing potential repercussions on their earnings and the freedom to express themselves.
The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, enacted on Mar. 13, demands that ByteDance, the Chinese entity behind TikTok, relinquish control of the app or face a looming ban in the U.S. Now, the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance as the bill heads to the Senate.
Influencers on TikTok, known for generating income through brand collaborations and monetizing their content directly, are alarmed at the prospect of losing a lucrative revenue stream should the ban take effect.
Emily Swift, the creative force behind Darkslide Film Lab in Bridgeport, Connecticut, leverages TikTok to showcase her film development process to 67,000 followers, securing an additional $6,000 monthly.
Expressing her concerns, Swift remarks, “TikTok is the lifeblood that sustains my business, and any ban jeopardizes our survival.”
In preparation for a possible ban, influencers like Hannah Williams of Salary Transparent Street fame are diversifying their presence across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Williams, boasting 1.3 million followers on TikTok, has acknowledged the need to adapt.
Across the TikTok universe, prominent stars like Charli D’Amelio, with 152 million followers, have ventured into multiple income streams. D’Amelio’s 2023 earnings touched $17.5 million, driven by her clothing line, Hulu show, and collaborations with brands like Dunkin’.
For creators and viewers alike, a TikTok ban signifies a loss of vital information access. Full-time content creator Brandon Edelman notes, “TikTok has become the go-to search engine for Gen Z.”
The specter of the ban not only threatens livelihoods but also looms large over freedom of speech and access to information, argues Williams, alongside legal experts who share her apprehension.
Notable voices, including TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, caution against the impending ban, highlighting the catastrophic consequences for creators and small businesses consequent to a possible prohibition.
The ripple effects extend beyond the U.S., with Chinese e-commerce vendors troubled by potential stringent regulations on the U.S. TikTok platform, unsettling Chinese sellers eyeing it as an Amazon.com alternative.
Engineered by Benzinga Neuro, Edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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