How would a national TikTok ban affect Mississippi content creators? Read details here

With a federal TikTok ban still up in the air months after President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that would effectively ban the platform, many Mississippi content creators are grappling with what a practical ban would mean for their careers and hobbies.

In April, legislation was introduced in the United States Congress to combat the perceived national security risk. The House approved a bill that would force Beijing-based company ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to sell the social media app or face a practical ban in the U.S.

The Senate then passed the bill and President Joe Biden signed the bill into law days later. However, the legislation will likely face legal pushback before a ban is enforced. The actual implementation of a national ban is still up in the air.

Concerns over TikTok's data security have trickled down into state politics in recent years. In early 2023, Gov. Tate Reeves issued a directive that banned the social media app on all state-issued devices.

At the time, Reeves said TikTok is a "major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure," and stated, "It's no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property," as per previous Clarion Ledger reporting.

Some Mississippi content creators use the platform just for fun.

Hattiesburg-area firefighter Josh Roberson makes videos under the name "Antiquated Gent" showing his followers how to wet shave.

Roberson told the Clarion Ledger that a ban would not affect him as much as it would other Mississippians who use the app to make money.

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"For me, TikTok is educational. It's fun. It's a way to escape for 15 or 20 seconds," Roberson said. "For me, it's not a job. It's not a career."

As for the need for national security, Roberson said a ban would not make much sense.

"They've already done the federal ban on mobile devices," Roberson said. "So, pretty much anything that would be considered national security should be more or less protected under it. It doesn't make a lot of sense — for as big as the platform is — to do what they are proposing to do."

The ban would directly affect some Mississippians who have come to rely on the platform to promote their careers.

George County resident Jessie Whittington uses her TikTok account @countrylather2020 to promote her handmade soap business. Many Mississippians may recognize Whittington from her TikTok commercial feature detailing the rise of her business. The commercial has played during major events including the current Olympics.

Whittington, a former school bus driver running her soap business in her free time, quit her job shortly before joining TikTok. Because of the following she gained and her sales through TikTok's "Shop" feature, Whittington's business flourished. She now ships her homemade soap internationally and was able to build a warehouse to accommodate her growing customer base.

With security concerns floating around the media, Whittington said she was never worried about TikTok's safety in terms of national security; she was only worried about her shop. A practical ban would be damaging to her success, especially since many of her sales are conducted through the TikTok Shop feature.

More Mississippi TikTok creators: Hattiesburg man quits his job to make videos on TikTok. Here's what happened next

Brandon native LaShay Greenwood had always made her own skincare and haircare products and continued that practice as a school teacher. Greenwood got into the TikTok content creating world making videos with her students and sharing relatable teacher moments.

Eventually, her friend suggested she make content about her hair routines and her homemade products. Greenwood's accounts @themaneattraction.ig and @lashaygreenwood quickly gained a mass following.

Now, Greenwood sells her homemade hair oils, which she promotes on TikTok. After the success of her TikTok, Greenwood transitioned from full-time teacher to full-time business owner. She took over her grandmother's house to make her products. Eventually, Greenwood was able to move production into a warehouse.

Like Whittington, Greenwood worried more about her business than data security when she learned of the potential national ban. She said her family and friends all felt the same way and continue to worry about the future of her business if the ban is imposed.

Jessica Simon uses TikTok to promote her candle and laundry detergent business under the handle @mississippicandleco. Originally, she used Facebook, but her account got hacked.

When she moved to TikTok in 2023, her business grew overnight. Now, Simon ships to all 50 states and Canada. Her husband was able to quit his job and works full time for Mississippi Candle Co.

Similar to Whittington and Greenwood, Simon credits TikTok with helping her open a warehouse to house her business.

All three women, who spoke at a media event in Jackson called "TikTok Sparks Communities" on Tuesday, said other social media platforms simply do not support small businesses like TikTok. If the ban is imposed, they would have to figure out a different way to reach a large international audience.

More on media event: TikTok safety campaign stops in Jackson to ease concerns. What are the safety measures?

Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Potential national TikTok ban sparks concern with Mississippi creators