ROGERS, Ark. — TikTok is on the cusp of being banned in the U.S. due to the app's Chinese ownership.
We reached out to Congressman Steve Womack who voted to proceed with this ban and said in part quote.
"I realize there are millions of TikTok users across the country, including in our district. I want these users to understand that our goal with this bill is not to ban TikTok. Our goal is to protect users by separating apps from foreign adversaries, which in this case is the Chinese Communist Party," Womack said.
People across the Natural State, including Sarah Saragusa, a TikToker in Northwest Arkansas with over 54,000 followers, are speaking out against the potential ban.
Saragusa, who believes the app is good for the economy, says that the ban could have unintended effects.
"Senators need to realize how much industry local, not just here in Arkansas, but nationally, small businesses are profiting and building income and revenue for themselves and for their family. And so if you do the ban on TikTok, you're actually cutting jobs and hurting small business," Saragusa said.
Saragusa uses the app to show off her hometown and promote local businesses.
"Really what I try to do is showcase the area and the region. I will go to small businesses and support them and let people know not only locally but throughout the internet what's heard," Saragusa said.
Saragusa also argues that all social media apps have risks but TikTok makes sure to keep its viewers safe.
"About security, what about China? That's true for any platform, whether that's TikTok or Facebook or Instagram, and TikTok already has a lot of security measures in place to protect people's data that I don't think people necessarily know about," Saragusa said.
She says if you want to keep TikTok, reaching out to your senators is the best way.
"Here in Arkansas, it's really important to reach out to our senators and let our voice be known. Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman are both in Washington and disconnected from what's really going on here in this state. I know here locally, we need to continue to develop our economy and for them to take away TikTok is just another step in the wrong direction," Saragusa said.
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