TikTok Creators Rally in Washington to Fight Possible Ban
In a last-ditch effort to save the popular video app TikTok from being banned in the United States, creators from the platform have descended on Washington to lobby against a bill that could force its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app.
The creators, known for their humorous and engaging content on TikTok, have been meeting with lawmakers and posting videos with the hashtag #KeepTikTok to express their opposition to the proposed ban. Despite their efforts, the House passed the bill with bipartisan support, but the fight now moves to the Senate.
Unlike traditional lobbyists, these creators were not paid to support TikTok, but the company covered their expenses for the trip, including meals at a high-end restaurant. The creators emphasized that they were speaking for themselves and shared personal stories about how TikTok has impacted their lives and businesses.
President Biden and other lawmakers have raised concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and its potential national security risks. The bill aims to address these concerns by forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok to non-Chinese owners within six months.
TikTok has repeatedly stated that it operates independently from the Chinese government and that user data is stored in the United States. The company is hopeful that the Senate will consider the impact of a ban on TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users and the economy.
Creators have also taken their fight to social media, coordinating television appearances and protests outside the Capitol and the White House. They have joined forces with lawmakers who oppose the bill and even received legal advice from the ACLU on potential constitutional issues.
Despite the House vote, creators remain optimistic about the bill’s chances in the Senate and are urging their followers not to lose hope. The support from TikTok creators has sparked a wave of engagement from users, with even members of Congress like Representative Jeff Jackson getting involved in the conversation on TikTok.
As the battle over TikTok’s future continues, creators like Tiffany Yu are working to educate users about the potential ban and the importance of their voices in the fight to save the app. The outcome of this legislative showdown will have far-reaching implications for the future of TikTok and its millions of users in the United States.
