President Biden signed a bill this week that includes a provision to force the sale of TikTok unless its Chinese owners sell it to a U.S. company. This move has sparked backlash from seven TikTok creators who rely on the platform for their careers and income. They criticized the Biden administration for what they perceive as hypocrisy, especially since the Biden campaign had previously used TikTok to engage with voters.
The legislation gives ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, nine months to sell the app, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. The bill was part of a larger package providing $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Despite signing the bill, the Biden campaign confirmed it would continue to use TikTok. This decision has drawn criticism from prominent TikTok users who see the potential ban as detrimental to their livelihoods and communities.
Creators like Tiffany Cianci, Hannah Williams, and Queen Astraea expressed concerns about losing their income, community, and ability to freely express themselves if TikTok is banned. They accused Biden of pandering to young voters while supporting a ban on the platform.
Other creators, such as Ian Carroll and Callie Goodwin, highlighted how TikTok has empowered small businesses and content creators to reach audiences and promote their work. They argued that a ban on TikTok would favor large corporations over small businesses.
The TikTok provision in the bill has raised questions about its impact on free speech and access to information. Critics like Tony Schaffer and Taralyn Romero believe the ban is an overblown attempt to control the market and stifle competition, rather than a measure to protect national security.
In conclusion, the TikTok ban has ignited a debate among creators, lawmakers, and users about the implications of restricting access to the popular social media platform.
