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What is Going on With TikTok?
Millions of users are flooding China’s social media, Red Note
Of TikTok’s one billion active users, about 150 million are Americans. A mass exodus is currently underway to Red Note, the Chinese version of the social media platform similar to Instagram.
Washington demanded TikTok’s parent company, Byte Dance, sell the platform or be banned in the US.
Byte Dance refused.
The video sharing platform is home to millions of content creators — many of whom earn their living from the site. TikTok caters to the average individual, so much so that celebrities and politicians find it less welcoming to their message than other forms of social media. Influencers on the app are often an average Joe talking about their special interest. Did you find an interesting stick or pretty seashell? There are millions of users ready to follow you.
With the impending shutdown, many contributors expect to lose their source of income and they are understandably unhappy. An estimated one-third earn a full-time wage, with the site generating median earnings of $15,000 to $25,000 annually (Medium should take note).
The platform has become a sort of home for activists and the disenfranchised. TikTok was the only source of income for some disabled users, single-mothers, refugees, homeless advocates, and charities. Many users solicit donations to help the poor and elderly and then post videos of distributing socks and gloves or mowing lawns and repairing driveways.
The social media powerhouse has been a strong force in organizing protests. Influencers targeted big corporation such as Starbucks for their support of Israel, Kellogg’s for raising prices then suggesting struggling consumers eat cereal for dinner, and Wendy’s after announcing “surge pricing”.
Many influencers believe this may be the impetus for the US government seeking to control of the site, despite citing reasons that China would have access to the data of Americans. In response, an estimated 700,000 users downloaded the Red Note app, handed over their mobile numbers and giving China direct access to their data.
Currently, the issue is before the Supreme Court and a ruling on the matter is expected before the January 19 deadline. Congress may extend the deadline, effectively kicking the can down the road to the next administration.
