The Biden administration's solicitor general, Elizabeth B. Prelogar argued that Congress has full authority to impose a ban, saying that the Chinese government can spy on Americans as well as their contacts through TikTok. “It's about trying to address a weakness that could be exploited by an adversary of a foreign country,” he said. Dozens of people outside the courtroom TikTok users rallied In support of the app. Faced with a January 19 deadline, the court could make a decision next week – one that could have a lasting impact on the future of social media for creators. If it goes into effect, it's unclear whether President-elect Trump will do so. enforce restrictions Once in the office.
When I asked Dunn about the ban, he said, “Eventually I would feel like I lost everything.” “I don't think people realize that this is how I keep a roof over my head. It's like people saying your company is going to close and you have no control over it.”
In addition to brand deals, Dunn also participates in TikTok's Creator Rewards program pays creators With a minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 monthly views to create original minute-long content. Between brand partnerships and the money earned through the program, Dunn, who is 30, tells me he's averaging several “five-figure months” in 2024. “The loss of jobs and income from this is going to outweigh the national security risks.” They're screaming,” he says.
TikTok Shop, the app's ecommerce feature, was a game changer for small business owners when it launched in September 2023. After overcoming some initial hurdles – which included everything, snail slime—TikTok Shop proved formidable; of app surge in sellers That left competitors like Amazon behind, which TikTok ultimately wants to replace (or at least dethrone). Beauty products and women's apparel are often the best-selling items across the platform. according to Shopify12 percent of TikTok shops could be US-based by 2023 45 percent Americans have made purchases through the TikTok Shop. in 2023Daily US sales topped $7 million.
Renee McClintock, a 29-year-old mother of two, is one of the app's more determined entrepreneurs. You name it, she's sold it: electrolyte packets, a cotton candy dispenser, 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 — she only does paid collaborations starting at $150, she wrote in an email — but noted that since July, through the affiliate program. , her gross merchandise volume was $600,000.
TikTok isn't the only platform that allows creators to make profits, but it appears to be the exception to the rule. YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch all offer different ways for users to make money, whether through ads or affiliate links. But none of them have what TikTok has, says John Selman, vice president of influencer marketing at BenLabs, an agency whose clients include influencers. colin keys, savagemomlifeAnd Amaury Guichon,