TikTok Ban: Millions of Users and Small Businesses Affected
The TikTok ban is just days away, and millions of people who rely on the app for work and business will be impacted. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law that bans TikTok unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the app to a U.S. owner. As of January 19, 2025, TikTok will no longer be available for download, and updates will stop. Eventually, the app will “go dark,” meaning it will no longer function properly for many users.
Why Is the TikTok Ban Happening?
The ban stems from security concerns raised by the U.S. government, particularly fears about Chinese influence over American users’ data. President Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face shutdown, and though TikTok has fought back with a lawsuit, a resolution seems unlikely. The ban will have widespread consequences, especially for small businesses that rely on the platform to reach customers.
Small Businesses: The Fallout from the TikTok Ban
For small businesses like Desiree Hill’s Crown’s Corner Mechanic in Georgia, TikTok has been a game-changer. Hill grew her business through viral TikTok videos, which helped her open a physical shop. However, with the TikTok ban looming, she fears that other platforms like Instagram or YouTube won’t offer the same reach and effectiveness. Experts suggest businesses may need to focus on building a loyal customer base through emails and phone numbers to survive the shift.
TikTok Creators: Affected by the Ban
Content creators are also facing challenges. Influencers like Jianna Capri, who makes over $10,000 a month from TikTok, express concern over losing their income streams. Capri’s use of TikTok and CapCut (a video editing app owned by ByteDance) means her livelihood depends on the platform, and the ban would significantly disrupt her ability to earn.
Potential Alternatives to TikTok
While platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat offer alternatives, they don’t match TikTok’s unique algorithm, which many users, like KIRO Newsradio’s Ursula Reutin, praise for its personalized content discovery. Some creators have already begun migrating to other platforms, but there’s no guarantee these apps will fill the void.
The Future of TikTok: Is There Hope?
Despite the ban, some reports suggest the U.S. government may work to preserve TikTok’s existence in America, potentially allowing a viable sale or extension of the app’s availability. The future remains uncertain, but millions of users and creators will continue to push for a solution that saves TikTok.
Conclusion
The TikTok ban will have a profound effect on millions of users and small businesses, changing the way people interact with social media and commerce. As we await final decisions, alternatives are being explored, but whether they will be able to match TikTok’s popularity remains to be seen.