Many TikTok users fear the financial implications of a potential ban, including stand-up comedian Demetrius Fields, who has an active deal with Fashion Nova. Fields said building an audience on another platform would be difficult for him due to competition for user attention. Meanwhile, Sarah Pikhit, an 18-year-old student at Penn State University, said she wouldn’t care if TikTok is banned, but her friends would. Overall, TikTok’s millions of US users are concerned about the potential ban, which could have significant financial implications for TikTokers who rely on the platform for income and social capital.
The Struggle between TikTok Users and Lawmakers on a Potential Ban
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are struggling to convince the public that TikTok could be used as a weapon by China against the American people. On the one hand, dozens of lawmakers are issuing warnings about security breaches and potential Chinese surveillance. On the other hand, some 150 million TikTok users in the US want to continue using the app to create and watch fun videos like makeup tutorials and cooking lessons.
During a six-hour congressional hearing on Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew reassured lawmakers that the platform has never turned over user data to the Chinese government and would not do so if asked. Despite this, lawmakers and officials continue to raise concerns that Chinese law requires companies like TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to provide data to the government for national security purposes. They also worry that Beijing might try to push pro-China narratives or misinformation through the platform.
At the hearing, Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw cautioned teenagers and TikTok influencers that they might not care now that their data is being accessed, but they will one day. The disconnect between lawmakers and TikTok users highlights the uphill battle faced by policymakers in convincing the public of the potential risks posed by the app. However, the concerns about China using TikTok as a weapon against the American people persist.
In summary, TikTok’s popularity among its users is in contrast to the concerns raised by lawmakers and officials regarding its potential risks. The continued struggle between TikTok users and policymakers illustrates the difficulty in convincing the public of the dangers that the app poses.
TikTok Users React to Potential Ban as Lawmakers Raise Security Concerns
As lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to raise concerns about potential security breaches and surveillance by China, some TikTok users have criticized the lawmakers’ efforts to ban the popular app. During a recent six-hour congressional hearing, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew assured lawmakers that the platform has never turned over user data to the Chinese government and would not do so if asked. Nevertheless, lawmakers and officials have raised concerns that Chinese law requires companies like TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to provide data to the government for national security purposes.
Despite these concerns, many of TikTok’s 150 million US users are more worried about the possibility of a ban than Chinese surveillance or security breaches. In fact, some have called a potential ban the “biggest scam” of the year. While some users have blamed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for the recent surge of scrutiny on the platform, few have expressed fear of possible Chinese surveillance or security breaches.
However, some lawmakers, including Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., are concerned about the possibility of Chinese propaganda and compromised privacy on the platform. Khanna has proposed forcing the sale of the platform to an American company while ensuring that it isn’t subject to Chinese propaganda or privacy breaches.
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans aged 13 to 17 use TikTok, and 16% of all teens say they use it almost constantly. This large user base is one reason why the Biden administration will likely pursue every option short of a ban first, according to Lindsay Gorman, a former tech adviser for the Biden administration who now works as a senior fellow for emerging technologies at the German Marshall Fund.
In an effort to leverage its popularity and stave off a potential ban, TikTok has sent dozens of influencers to Congress to lobby against the ban. It has also ramped up its public relations campaign, touting its promises of securing users’ data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.
Many popular TikTokers who speak out against the ban are concerned about how it might impact their personal lives. Many earn income from their videos and brand partnerships to market products to their audiences – another stream of revenue that could be wiped away if the platform disappears. They would also lose the social capital that comes from having a large following on the trend-setting app.
In conclusion, while some lawmakers are raising concerns about potential security breaches and surveillance on TikTok, many of its millions of US users are more worried about a potential ban. As the Biden administration explores options short of a ban, TikTok is fighting back with a public relations campaign and lobbying efforts. TikTokers who rely on the platform for income and social capital are particularly concerned about the impact of a potential ban.
TikTok Users Fear Financial Implications of Potential Ban
Many TikTok users, including stand-up comedian Demetrius Fields, who has 2.8 million followers on the platform, fear the financial implications of a potential ban. Fields has an active deal with fast fashion retailer Fashion Nova, which allows him to earn an income from the videos he posts on TikTok. If the app is taken away, Fields said he would have difficulty building an audience on another platform due to competition for user attention. Meanwhile, Sarah Pikhit, an 18-year-old student at Penn State University, said she wouldn’t care if TikTok is banned, but her friends would. While she still uses the app to post her own content, she can do so on other platforms.
Overall, TikTok’s millions of US users are concerned about the potential ban, which could have significant financial implications for TikTokers who rely on the platform for income and social capital.
Stay up-to-date with the latest technology and startup news by subscribing to our daily newsletter.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
