Huntsville Creators and Business Owners React to Potential TikTok Ban

President Biden signs bill into law that would ban TikTok unless the platform is sold to an American company

Introduction

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill that could result in a nationwide ban of the massively popular social media platform, TikTok. The legislation, signed into law by President Biden, gives the China-based ByteDance company, current owner of TikTok, two choices: either sell the platform to an American company or face a total ban within the United States. The response to this development in the Huntsville community has been one of concern and uncertainty, especially among those who rely on the platform for income or business purposes.

Huntsville Residents Share Concerns

One such user is Hannah Charles, a Huntsville mother with a following of over 113,000 on TikTok. She began her journey on the platform in 2021, after the birth of her first child, originally sharing the regular ups and downs of motherhood. After some of her videos went viral, Charles found herself part of a vibrant community and could earn an income through the app. This unexpected development facilitated a more financially comfortable life for Charles and her family.

But the potential TikTok ban could substantially decrease her income. Yet “What I value more is the sense of community I’ve built with other mothers,” Charles expressed. She questions the impact of this law on those who turn to TikTok to find a sense of community and change in their lives.

Impact on Local Businesses

Athens-based Next Level Automotive also heavily relies on TikTok for driving customers to its detailing services. Owner Dylan Devall admitted that losing TikTok as a marketing tool might take a toll on the shop’s monthly revenue, indirectly affecting his employees.

Reportedly, there are 170 million users on TikTok, with 7 million accounts representing small businesses, indicating a broad and potentially severe impact following the enactment of this ban.

The Final Verdict

ByteDance now has nine months to sell TikTok to an American firm. However, the company is expected to challenge this legislation in court, bringing another layer of uncertainty to this ongoing issue.