Potential U.S. TikTok Ban Leaves Black Creators In Limbo
The potential ban of the social media platform TikTok following the U.S. government’s concern about national security implications could have an unfortunate effect on Black creators.
The potential TikTok ban
The U.S. government, concerned about national security implications linked to TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance, proposed a bill with a profound impact.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a 12-page document, threatened to uproot TikTok from American soil unless ByteDance sold it.
On Wednesday, March 13, the Republican-controlled House voted 352 to 65 on a bill requiring TikTok either be divested from ByteDance, its Beijing-based owner, or face a nationwide ban.
The bill will now go to the Senate for final voting.
For millions, the bill hit hard as TikTok is more than an app; it is a search engine, a marketplace, and a community.
According to Google’s Prabhakar Raghavan, about 40% of young people turn to TikTok for their queries, from finding lunch spots to understanding global cultures.
Black creators on TikTok have long faced issues of recognition, attribution, and adequate financial compensation for their work. Nevertheless, the potential ban still looms like a dark cloud over many of them.
Read: TikTok Prepares For Scrutiny As Kenyan Content Moderators Sue Meta
Black TikTok Creators
TikTok quickly became the canvas for millions of users, including Black creators like Reesa Teesa, Robert Lucas, and Tony Weaver Jr.
Teesa’s gripping 50-part TikTok series “Who T.F. Did I Marry?” captivated millions with its tale of a tumultuous marriage.
Elsewhere, self-taught cake artist Lucas found his calling and has nearly three million followers on TikTok.
Lucas’ presence underscored the platform’s importance for visibility, especially for Black creators.
Meanwhile, Weaver Jr., an anime and manga enthusiast, turned his passion into a powerful educational tool for his 705,000 followers.
Weaver Jr. provides cultural insights and historical contexts through TikTok, shaping minds and bridging gaps.
What Happens Now?
Amidst this turmoil, TikTok responded with ‘Project Texas,’ a $1.5 billion initiative dedicated to safeguarding user data and ensuring platform integrity.
This move wasn’t just about compliance; it was about trust, about securing a future where geopolitical tensions didn’t overshadow creativity and joy.
As the story unfolded, Montana became the first state to enforce a TikTok ban, setting a precedent that sparked fear and uncertainty.
Creators faced a potential future in which their digital stage could vanish, and the rhythms of their lives could be disrupted without warning.
To reach its users, TikTok sent an alert to those opening the app, urging them to take action to prevent it from being removed.
Government and federal officials cannot currently use TikTok on their devices.
Update: Mar 13, 2024 This article was updated to state that the House has now voted to pass the bill.
