TikTok on the Apple app store Jan. 10, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Last week, the House of Representatives voted to ban TikTok in the United States unless the Chinese organization that owns the app sells it.
Lawmakers are concerned data could be shared with the Chinese government. The potential ban has sparked mixed reactions from some locals who use the app for their income.
The ban isn’t yet official, though content creators on the platform are prepared for that to be a reality.
“I’ve talked to a few creators and kind of like, ‘Hey, if you’re not already on other platforms, like what are you doing?'” Milwaukee-based TikToker JMatt said. He turned to content creation and social media coaching full time last year.
“I had a TikTok blow up in July 2020 and then I realized there was a connection to Milwaukee with it, and I continued with it, did a couple more ideas with some Milwaukee-based content, and that continued to do well and I stuck with it,” JMatt said.
His channel, which showcases his home city, has now surpassed 180,000 followers. Other creators have seen their follower count extend even higher.
“It’s gotten me amazing experiences,” Appleton TikToker Brandon Johnson said. “I’ve gotten to perform with celebrities in front of a million people live.”
Through his account, Spiritwalker, Johnson displays creatures that he makes in his home. Though he doesn’t sell directly through TikTok, he feels his brand reach is at stake.
“It’s going to hurt me as a small business owner and millions of other people,” Johnson said. “I think I’m going to have a little bit of an issue.”
His content has become so popular online that it’s found success elsewhere. He’s grown a follower base of over six million on TikTok, and over one million on YouTube. If the TikTok ban goes into effect, his focus will shift.
“Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts — that’s going to be my main direction,” Johnson said. “But also, TikTok’s the reason I have 1.3 million followers on YouTube.”
Johnson said it wouldn’t significantly change the format of his content. But for other reasons, he’s also not entirely against a shutdown.
“I’ve had very bad experiences with the app itself,” Johnson said. “The app itself has had no support for me. My content is stolen constantly. There’s no moderation to stolen content. They treat their creators awful. They don’t pay them hardly anything.”
Still, Johnson, along with many others on TikTok, doesn’t agree with the basis for Wednesday’s House vote.
“What about all those other apps you have on your phone?” JMatt asked. “Do you know what country owns those?”
While these creators still hoping the ban doesn’t happen, they’re working on expanding out in the meantime.
“Platforms come and go,” JMatt said. “The platforms themselves change, features evolve. So, you can’t really hitch your wagon to one specific platform and assume it will always be there.”
For the ban to go into effect, the U.S. Senate must still vote and President Biden must also sign off on the legislation. Currently, the Senate has not made any plans to do so.
Comments