UAE content creators, American expats brace for US Tiktok ban impact
As TikTok gears up for a suspension of its US operations due to a federal ban likely to take effect on January 19, Worry grows for Content creators and American expats in UAE. The bane has almost scarred Americans as it was with ease to engage with the app for social needs and business purposes.
During these harsh circumstances when the app is threatened with a ban, many Americans have migrated platforms and turned look for within the app, “RedNote”. According to reporters, New users have welcomed former content creators from TikTok as they go on searching new platforms to showcase their content.
Ava Johnson, a TikTok star and social media influencer operating from Dubai quotes, “In the start when this issue had occurred, we assumed it to be a joke, but now that it is a reality, we see how severe it is.” She then went on explaining the vast impact this will have on Americans as businesses primarily operted with TikTok for marketing and selling purposes.
All those TikTokers who have no adverting perspective and have built their identity strictly on the platform can face significant financial consequences. “This is horrible, I believe has changed the way we market ourselves and as a business.” Ava said.
The reversal on the TikTok shutdown claims also forms a facet of the political narrative in the US which is of broad concern. However, with 170 million people in the USA using this application, then the consequences of this political decision will be felt across different spheres. Reports indicate that the incoming President Donald Trump would issue an executive order to postpone the ban on TikTok.
From a theoretical standpoint, users who have already downloaded the application will continue to be active, however, the legislation also prevents us enterprises from offering its distribution, maintenance or even updating services starting sunday.
This feels weird to me. People are glued onto these applications most definitely.The concern here was raised by the Influencer Jake who is 26 years old.
So called trends on TikTok and the videos are utilitarian to most individuals, who view them as a search engine, able to impact the algorithms useful in gaining visibility and growth to the users.
Considering the increase in usage of TikTok in the period of the COVID pandemic, Jake narrates that it now became some sort of virtual meeting place for people. According to him, Since covid-19 TikTok has been many people’s go to , now it feels like it’s not there anymore.
For instance, I have many US influencers that I follow on social media, and without them, it is like my community is incomplete. According to Washington post, Trump (his order will take effect on January 20 th, a day after the ban goes into effect) is working on an executive order that would delay the enforcement of the shutdown for 60 or 90 days. The report did not clarify how Trump would be allowed to do this.
Encourages innovation, collaboration
The announcement in question bears more significance than just for content creators. “Working on Tik Tok is well known to be an income for a lot of people,” said Mark Davis, an American, who has been residing in the UAE for over 10 years. “If you want to pay no one who exists on the Platform, then possibly not everything has been thought out."
He continued to elaborate, "For most people, Tik Tok is not an alternative business but a primary one as they make decent income from it. There are families who have given up their well-paid jobs to only do this and this could be their reason to be in a dire situation.” He thinks that this could be a blanket ban on the creators and the entities that sustain them in trying to survive.
Though TikTok is not prohibited in UAE, the social media personalities fear that if there was a ban in the US, it would in turn limit their audience and engagement. However, many are saying that this ban should be lifted, so that the creative industry is able to flourish rather than be hindered alongside the aspiring economy. By doing this, policymakers will be able to appreciate the wider picture.
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