They built careers on TikTok. Now they’re bracing for a possible ban | CNN Business

CNN - Jan 10th, 2025

Joanne Molinaro, a former corporate lawyer turned TikTok sensation, faces financial uncertainty as a potential TikTok ban looms in the United States. After building a successful brand as @TheKoreanVegan with over 3 million followers, Molinaro is among many influencers who could see a significant income loss if the app is banned. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the legality of the ban, which is based on national security concerns regarding TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The potential ban could impact millions of creators and small businesses financially reliant on the platform.

The implications of a TikTok ban extend beyond individual creators like Molinaro and Eli Rallo, who has also built a career on the platform. The US government argues that TikTok poses a national security risk due to data collection practices. However, the ban could disrupt an economy worth billions and shift the social media landscape, potentially benefiting competitors like Instagram and YouTube. Influencers are now strategizing to diversify their income streams across other platforms, but this transition may be challenging due to different audience dynamics and algorithms. The potential ban highlights the precarious nature of careers built on social media platforms.

Tik Tok Byte Dance National Security Us Supreme Court Joanne Molinaro Social Media Influencers Creator Economy

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively captures a compelling narrative about the potential impact of a TikTok ban on influencers and small businesses, using real-life examples to illustrate broader economic and cultural implications. However, while it provides a vivid account of personal stories and potential outcomes, it could benefit from deeper factual verification and a more balanced presentation of perspectives. The article relies heavily on personal anecdotes, which, while engaging, could be supplemented with more diverse expert opinions and statistical data for a broader viewpoint. Overall, the piece offers a well-structured narrative but could improve in source credibility and transparency.

Accuracy

The article generally presents factual information regarding the potential TikTok ban and its implications for influencers and businesses. It accurately describes the proposed US law and the national security concerns cited by the government. However, it could improve by providing more detailed data to support claims, such as the exact financial figures related to TikTok's impact on small businesses. The article mentions a Supreme Court hearing and potential revenue losses but lacks specific, independently verified statistics or broader economic analyses. Additionally, while it quotes the US Justice Department, it could benefit from more corroborated sources to substantiate claims about data security risks.

Balance

The article primarily presents the viewpoint of TikTok influencers and the potential negative outcomes of a ban, which could be seen as somewhat one-sided. It includes comments from creators like Joanne Molinaro and Eli Rallo, highlighting their concerns and financial dependencies on the platform. However, it could be more balanced by incorporating perspectives from policymakers, cybersecurity experts, or those supporting the ban, providing a more comprehensive view of the issue. The article does mention the US government's rationale for the ban but could delve deeper into the opposing arguments and their merits, ensuring a fair representation of all sides involved.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the narrative of TikTok's impact on influencers like Joanne Molinaro and Eli Rallo. The language is accessible and relatable, effectively conveying the concerns and experiences of those potentially affected by a TikTok ban. The tone remains professional, avoiding overly emotive language, which helps maintain a neutral presentation. However, while the article is engaging, it occasionally lacks clarity in presenting complex legal and economic implications, which could be better explained with more detailed context or definitions. Overall, the clarity is strong, but some segments could benefit from further elaboration.

Source quality

The article references a few credible sources, such as the US Justice Department and an assistant professor from the University of Alabama, which lend some credibility to the claims made. However, the overall source quality is somewhat lacking due to a reliance on personal anecdotes and the absence of a broader range of authoritative voices. There is a notable lack of diverse academic or industry expert sources that could provide more depth and reliability to the discussion. The article could be strengthened by including more detailed quotes or insights from cybersecurity experts, economists, or policymakers to bolster the factual and analytical grounding of its claims.

Transparency

The article offers some level of transparency by acknowledging the potential financial impacts on influencers and businesses due to a TikTok ban. However, it could improve by clearly explaining the methodologies behind the financial estimates provided, such as the $1 billion in potential lost revenue for small businesses. Additionally, it does not fully disclose any potential conflicts of interest or affiliations of the individuals quoted, such as their relationships with TikTok or other social media platforms. Greater transparency about the sources of financial data and the potential biases of quoted individuals would enhance the article’s credibility and reader trust.