The US Senate has passed a foreign aid package that includes a ban on popular app TikTok, but businesses in Lincoln remain hopeful that it will continue to be available. Local establishments use social media platforms like TikTok to promote their products and services, such as Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies, which showcase their cakes and cookies on their account, attracting customers.
Stacy Tamerius, owner of these businesses, says that social media is a critical tool for bringing customers in the door. Many customers have mentioned that they visited the bakery after seeing their creations on TikTok. The app, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company with ties to the Communist Party, has a significant impact on the US economy with millions of American users and businesses utilizing it for sales and growth opportunities.
The legislation currently being considered by Congress aims to prevent foreign adversaries like China from owning platforms that could pose a threat to national security. Senator Pete Ricketts clarified that the bill does not completely ban TikTok but aims to prevent its ownership by foreign entities. If ByteDance does not sell the app to an American company, it may face legal action or be banned entirely in the US. This measure is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden, potentially impacting millions of users and businesses that rely on TikTok for their social media presence.
Despite the potential ban on TikTok, local businesses in Lincoln are hopeful that it will continue to be available for use. They recognize its importance in promoting their products and services through social media platforms and are eagerly waiting for any news regarding its future in the US market.
