Metro Detroiters speak out after appeals court upholds TikTok ban in U.S.

(CBS DETROIT)The federal ban on the social networking app TikTok, which is set to go into effect in January, was maintained by a federal appeals court.

Both major U.S. parties have long expressed concern that the Chinese government may use TikTok to secretly influence the American people by amplifying or suppressing specific material, or it may use the app to spy on and gather data from its over 170 million American users. However, content producers like Jon Kung of Detroit, who uses the app to create food videos, are concerned that Americans might be missing out on something unique.

“It was our window into the outside world during the pandemic, and from there, so many small businesses and so many career paths had sprung out of this,” stated Kung.

With Friday’s decision, TikTok is in danger of being banned in the United States unless it can persuade its parent firm, ByteDance, in China to sell and find a buyer by January 19. It would be a devastating blow to the numerous creators who earn a living from the app and other small businesses who use the site for promotion, Kung tells CBS Detroit.

“It’s hard to see how so many who have invested so much of their time and their effort and their passions into creating businesses for themselves as well as creating platforms for themselves through TikTok is about to lose that almost overnight.”

People in Metro Detroit were asked by CBS News Detroit how they felt about the possible ban.

“I personally removed it since it’s a pretty addictive item. My productivity has increased since I recently got rid of it; I’ve simply benefited greatly from it,” Canton resident Faris Almomani remarked.

“I still use it,” Canton resident Connor Corby said. I still find it enjoyable, and it keeps me occupied when I’m idle. Like, TikTok is the only thing I know what to do if I’m bored.”

Although it’s uncertain if the Supreme Court will hear the case, TikTok and ByteDance are anticipated to file an appeal.

The final form of the TikTok ban is yet uncertain. Although the law doesn’t demand that the software be immediately taken from users’ phones, it does mandate that it be taken down from the app stores of Apple and Google, which would prevent American consumers from downloading the app or installing any upgrades.

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