TikTok faces a Jan. 19 shutdown, following Supreme Court arguments that suggested justices may uphold a law requiring the platform’s Chinese owners to sell.
DALLAS — TikTok changed Victoria Jameson’s life once. A looming ban on the app could change it again.
Before she joined TikTok nearly a decade ago, she was “broke, broke” and “should’ve been on food stamps.” Then her videos on the app took off, and she gained 900 thousand followers in less than six months, she said.
“It was pretty life-changing and the income that came with that was life-changing as well,” Jameson said.
Now, she’s bracing for another change to her livelihood. TikTok faces a Jan. 19 shutdown following Supreme Court arguments that suggested justices may uphold a law requiring the platform’s Chinese owners to sell or cease U.S. operations.
“I feel nervous, I feel frustrated, I feel scared,” said Sara Hamway, a Dallas real estate agent who posts TikTok videos helping people find affordable apartments across the area. She has gained nearly 40 thousand followers and said 95% of her leads come from social media.
“They always start out with ‘Hi I’ve seen your videos on social media and I need your help finding a cheap rental in Dallas,'” she said.
For these professionals, simply switching to other social media platforms isn’t a viable solution. Jameson explains that TikTok’s algorithm reaches audiences other platforms don’t. “You’re able to get your content in front of other people that you can’t on other platforms,” Hamway said.
The imminent shutdown stems from federal legislation requiring TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell the app due to national security concerns. During Friday’s Supreme Court arguments, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized concerns about TikTok’s ownership by China-based ByteDance and its requirement to cooperate with Chinese government intelligence operations. If the ban takes effect, new downloads would be prohibited and existing users would stop receiving updates, eventually rendering the app unusable.
Jameson questions the narrow focus of the legislation: “If this was actually about data security, we would see our legislators passing legislation about data security and going after platforms and companies other than just TikTok.”
As the deadline approaches, creators like Jameson are grappling with uncertainty about their professional futures. “Now I’m having to address the what if it’s going to get taken away overnight,” she says. “It’s something I always thought would be there.”
Hamway said even if the ban takes effect, she’ll be grateful for the opportunity TikTok has provided her. “I’m grateful for the exposure I’ve had and the impact I’ve made,” she said. “I hope the connections I’ve created within the community will continue to give me a voice and a platform to assist those in need of affordable housing in Dallas.”