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Title: If TikTok goes, so will livelihoods: “We’d have to completely rebuild”
For many small businesses and independent creators, the sudden loss of TikTok would be a catastrophic blow. With over 170 million monthly active users, the platform has become an essential tool for reaching customers, promoting products, and generating income.
Simon, who owns a company that relies heavily on TikTok, is just one example of the devastating impact a ban would have. Despite her company’s exposure on TikTok, Simon stated, “I am heartbroken for my staff… I won’t be able to make up for that traffic or sales anywhere else.” She emphasized that rebuilding their community elsewhere would take a significant amount of time and effort.
The consequences of a TikTok ban would not only affect small businesses but also marginalized creators who may rely on the platform as a means of income. Jessica Rauchberg, an assistant professor at Seton Hall University, expressed concerns about the impact on everyday creators, particularly those with disabilities who cannot work in person. “You can’t just rebuild on another platform,” she emphasized.
Additionally, the loss of TikTok would significantly burden the speech rights of over 170 million Americans, as well as cause substantial disruption to third-party providers that could face severe penalties if they continue to provide services to the app’s users.
In light of this, experts believe that a ban would be a significant blow to creators and small businesses alike. Edward Klaris, managing partner at Klaris law, stressed that “a ton of people are already flocking to other apps, but there is going to be a ton of damage and loss of revenue.”
Source: www.cbsnews.com
