NEW YORK — The United States is moving closer to potentially banning TikTok, as the Supreme Court has upheld a law that would block new downloads of the app starting this upcoming Sunday. However, many questions linger regarding the specifics of the ban and its enforcement, leaving millions of users and creators in uncertainty — especially influencers and small business owners who have come to depend on the popular platform for their livelihoods.
Terrell Wade, a comedian and content creator known as @TheWadeEmpire, boasts 1.5 million followers on TikTok. He has turned his online presence into a full-time career and anticipates “two days of chaos” as the Sunday deadline approaches. Wade expressed his confusion, saying, “At this point, I really don’t know what to believe.”
In a unanimous ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a federal law that will ban TikTok unless its China-based parent company sells it before January 19. The court deemed that the national security risks associated with the app’s connections to China outweighed First Amendment concerns regarding free speech. A sale does not appear imminent, meaning that the ban could be implemented on Sunday. This ruling coincides with the inauguration of a new president.
President Biden’s administration has maintained that TikTok must change its ownership to address national security issues. However, the administration has indicated that it won’t enforce the ban on Sunday, the last day of Biden’s presidency. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that enforcement will fall to the new administration due to timing. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok, has stated an intention to maintain access to the app, but his course of action after the inauguration remains uncertain.
Late Friday, TikTok released a message on X, criticizing the Biden administration and the Justice Department for not providing clarity to the essential service providers that keep the app available for over 170 million Americans. They warned that without a definitive statement of non-enforcement from the Biden administration, TikTok would likely cease operations on January 19.
Experts have indicated that while a ban might prevent new downloads and updates of the app, it will not remove TikTok from the devices of current users immediately. However, the inability to update the app will likely lead to it becoming increasingly nonfunctional over time, according to court filings from the Justice Department. Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester, emphasized that this situation serves as a stark reminder to content creators that social media platforms can vanish without notice, causing significant disruption to those who rely on them.
As they brace for the possibility of a TikTok ban, many creators, including Wade, remain hopeful that a last-minute solution will avert the shutdown. Wade believes that he has enough of a presence on other platforms to adapt if necessary, saying, “I’m still remaining optimistic.” However, many creators continue to voice concerns about losing access to TikTok.
Janette Ok, an influencer and artist based in Los Angeles, relies on TikTok to form brand partnerships and promote her music, claiming it has opened doors she never imagined possible. Having participated in lobbying efforts in Washington to preserve the app, Ok shared her frustrations about the ongoing discussions of a ban dating back to 2020, stating that as an Asian American, the ban feels somewhat xenophobic: “I hear all these different things, and I don’t know what to believe — so that’s where I’m very frustrated.”
Jordan Smith, a former WNBA player who runs a clothing brand in Texas, uses TikTok to connect with her target audience, which can be challenging to find otherwise. She fears the impact a ban could have on her business as well as her personal connection to the platform. “I think it seems like Biden is kind of pushing it off to Trump,” she noted, adding uncertainty about what the future holds for TikTok.
Alejandro Flores-Munoz, a caterer near Denver who operates under the handle @combicafe, has relied heavily on the app for free marketing outreach. He was optimistic until he heard the Supreme Court’s ruling, which he admitted made him reconsider his options regarding his business plan.
Ruben Trujillo, who owns Cafe Emporos Coffeegrams, expressed frustration over the changing political landscape surrounding TikTok, stating, “It’s kind of like they keep putting the ball in each other’s court.” He voiced concerns for small business owners: “And a lot of people did that, and it’s like those bootstraps are being cut now.”
