El Paso business owner concerned about potential TikTok ban

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill threatening a potential nationwide ban on TikTok, a popular social media app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The bill, which forces ByteDance to sell the platform or face a ban, now awaits President Biden’s signature.

This move comes after bipartisan support in the House for funding bills providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as targeting TikTok due to national security concerns. The app has been under scrutiny for its Chinese ownership, with lawmakers and the FBI expressing worries about potential espionage.

The potential ban has raised concerns among content creators, including Isca Zeledon, owner of the Mexican Candy Lady shop in El Paso. Zeledon saw a significant increase in sales and followers on TikTok after using the app’s TikTok Shop feature. However, with the threat of a ban looming, she is worried about the future of her business.

Lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul have voiced their concerns about TikTok’s national security risks. McCaul described the app as a “spy balloon in your phone,” highlighting the need to protect U.S. interests.

As the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, Zeledon remains uncertain about what the future holds for her business. She expressed her concerns about the potential ban and emphasized the need to adapt to new platforms if necessary. The impact of the bill on businesses and content creators like Zeledon remains to be seen as the situation unfolds.