Canadian content creators react to potential TikTok ban after U.S. House passed bill over security concerns
TikTok, the app owned by Chinese technology company Bytedance, has been targeted as an enemy of the state by American members of the U.S. Congress. They want the owners to sell it, or it will be blocked.
Dominique Baker is a Canadian content creator with over 163,000 followers on TikTok, most of them from the U.S. "I get a lot of opportunities from American brands, so I think I will be hit," says Baker. "I think I will see a dip in my income if there is a ban in the US for TikTok. It's a bit scary, I think the engagement will really, really tank."
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
With about 170 million users, TikTok's American market is a place Canadian content creators can tap into, and make a lot of money. Baker notes, "I will most definitely be focusing more on YouTube. I have a pretty thriving community on YouTube so if an American ban on does go ahead; I will be putting all of my energy into Instagram and YouTube."
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that could ban TikTok over security concerns, calling on Bytedance to sell its American assets within six months, or be blocked.
Vitus Spehar is an American TikToker with over 3.1 million followers. "This is my livelihood, it's been one of the greatest discoverability platforms for the average person to break into, making their passion a reality," Spehar says. "There are over 300,000 American jobs that work on TikTok that would be affected if there were a ban. So, we're talking about taking billions of dollars out of the local economy from one of the social media apps that has provided the greatest amount of social mobility for the average person."
With the news of a potential ban south of the border, it has just been made public in Canada, that in September 2023 the federal government ordered a national security review of TikTok. The federal government also banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023, after federal and provincial privacy commissioners launched their own investigation into the platform.
Jérôme Miousse, Director of Public Affairs with Tourism Ottawa says, their social media accounts have followers from all over the world. "We're doing well with Instagram, where we have over 160,000 followers, we also have a good amount on Facebook and LinkedIn on where they do more of the business/corporate side of their marketing." Miousse adds, "If there is a ban in the states, we'll just adapt to it, and repurpose efforts to other social media platforms which we already use. We like to use all tools at our disposal to reach all of our audiences, so of course if we notice that younger people, gen Z, or millennials are on social media. The most important thing is to reach people where they are."
While TikTok argues its creators will lose billions of dollars if there is a ban in the U.S., they also note 1 in 3 American users gets their news from the app, and between 5 and 7 million small business that use the platform say TikTok brings them in the most money.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.