American TikTok creators are urging their followers to subscribe to their channels on rival platforms, including Meta’s Instagram and Alphabet’s YouTube, following a recent federal appeals court ruling. The court upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a potential U.S. ban by January 19, 2025, Reuters news report said.
TikTok, which has more than 170 million users in the U.S., has become a dominant force in the short video platform, particularly among younger audiences. The platform has not only captured the attention of consumers but also drawn advertising revenue from major U.S. companies.
Additionally, TikTok Shop, the app’s e-commerce platform, has proven to be an essential marketplace for small businesses. However, growing concerns over TikTok’s ties to China, particularly regarding data privacy, have fueled calls for the app’s sale.
The U.S. Congress passed a law mandating ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok in the U.S. due to fears that the Chinese government could access American users’ data. This ruling has led to uncertainty, with some content creators urging their followers to prepare for the worst.
Influencers like Chris Mowrey, who has 470,000 TikTok followers, expressed concern about the economic impact on small businesses and creators.
Many TikTok users and creators are expressing confusion and concern over the digital platform’s future, fearing a loss of years of work.
Chris Burkett, a lifestyle influencer with 1.3 million followers, expressed doubt about TikTok’s longevity in the U.S., advising his followers to join him on Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms. Meanwhile, food travel creator SnipingForDom, who has 898,000 followers, encouraged his audience to follow him on Instagram, despite not believing the ban was imminent.
However, some remain optimistic, including Sarah Jannetti, a TikTok Shop consultant, who said her clients are not yet concerned about the ban and will continue their operations until there is more concrete information.
As the January 19 deadline looms, video creators and businesses are left waiting for further developments, with the possibility of an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court still on the table.