The U.S. Senate recently passed a foreign aid package that includes a ban on TikTok. Despite this news, Lincoln businesses are hopeful that the popular app will continue to be available. Many business owners in the area rely on social media, including TikTok, to attract customers. For example, Stacy Tamerius, the owner of Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies, uses TikTok to showcase her cakes and cookies. Highlighting their products and the people who make the bakery successful has helped bring in new customers.
TikTok has an estimated $24.2 billion impact on the U.S. economy, with millions of American users and businesses using the platform for sales and growth. However, as TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company with ties to the nation’s Communist Party, there are concerns about national security. A measure being considered by Congress would ban TikTok in the U.S. if ByteDance does not sell the app to an American company.
Senator Pete Ricketts from Nebraska voted for the legislation, emphasizing the need to prevent foreign adversaries like China from owning platforms that could pose a risk to national security. The bill is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden, further solidifying the ban on TikTok. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of the app, Lincoln businesses are hoping for a positive outcome that allows them to continue using social media to connect with customers.