The TikTok Ban Would Be Social Media’s First Extinction-Level Event

The Biden administration’s solicitor general, Elizabeth B. Preloger, argued that Congress had every right to enact a ban, saying the Chinese government could be spying on TikTok in addition to their communications with Americans. “It’s trying to close a vulnerability that an adversary in a foreign country could exploit,” he said. Dozens outside the courthouse TikTok users rallied In app support. Given the January 19 deadline, the court could make a decision next week — one that could have lasting effects on the future of social media for creators. If it takes effect, it remains unclear whether or how President-elect Trump will be Enforce the ban Once in the office.

“I’ll end up feeling like I’ve lost everything,” Dunn says when I ask him about the ban. “I don’t think people understand how I keep a roof over my head. It’s like people saying your company is going out of business and you have zero control over it.”

In addition to brand deals, Dunn participates in TikTok’s Creator Rewards program, which Pays manufacturers To create original minute-long content with a minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 monthly views. Between brand partnerships and money made through the program, Dunn, who is 30, told me he’s averaging several “five-figure months” in 2024. “The loss of jobs and income from this is going to be far greater than the national security risk they’re screaming,” he said.

TikTok Shop, the app’s ecommerce feature, was a game changer for small business owners when it debuted in September 2023. After navigating some initial hiccups—all of which included, Snail slime— TikTok Shop has proven strong; of the app Waves between vendors Outpaces competitors like Amazon, which TikTok wants to eventually replace (or at least dethrone). Beauty products and women’s clothing are often the best-selling items across the platform. According to ShopifyBy 2023, 12 percent of TikTok shops were US-based 45 percent Americans buy through the TikTok Shop. In 2023Daily US sales top $7 million.

Renee McClintock, a 29-year-old mother of two, is one of the app’s more assertive founders. You name it, he’s sold it: electrolyte packets, a cotton candy machine, iPhone cases, blue jeans, vaginal probiotic gummies. Last summer, a video Details of how much she earned in one week—$4,764.63—went viral. McClintock declined to speak with me for this story—he only does paid affiliates, starting at $150, he wrote in an email—but noted that as of July, through the affiliate program, he had grossed $600,000 in merchandise.

TikTok isn’t the only platform that allows creators to make a profit, but it seems to be the exception to the rule. YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch all offer different ways for users to earn money, whether through ads or affiliate links. But none of them have what TikTok has, said John Selman, vice president of influencer marketing at BenLabs, an agency whose clients include influencers. Colin Keys, SavagemomlifeAnd Amaury Guichon.