The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the TikTok ban on Friday

The Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on Friday about whether a nationwide ban on TikTok is constitutional.

While the potential ban could affect full-time influencers who make a living from the app, they aren’t the only ones who will be affected if TikTok goes away.

“I would say most people use TikTok either as a brand booster or the money goes to fund other aspects of their business,” explains Greg Stoller, Master Lecturer at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. “If they’re going to replace capital, if they’re going to buy new software, if they’re going to hire someone else, you know, a few thousand dollars a month is not going to be ignored.”

Stoller continues, “I talked to three of my students, and all three of them independently indicate that TikTok is not just for content expansion, but it’s actually a great way to do business development.”

He says if TikTok disappears from app stores later this month, a lot of people who rely on the platform for supplemental income will be at risk.

Therefore, he urges all users who make money on TikTok to get their ducks in a row.

“I think if you’re going to rely on social media as either an extension of your brand or your brand or for specific business development opportunities, don’t get sucked into the vortex of is it going to happen? It’s not going to to happen?” explains Stoller. “Consider it business as usual.”

He continues, “But I would also say back up your stuff, make sure you’re prepared — potentially at a moment’s notice — to transfer this to another platform.”

What does Stoller think will happen?

“I think you could have a white knight, who doesn’t necessarily have to be from the United States, who could come in and buy it,” he posits. “You could have a white knight, a consortium of different organizations, you know a private equity play if you will, with investors from all over the world, or I guess it’s going to be three or four months of legal wrangling and eventually they come to a compromise.”

The TikTok ban was passed in April 2024 with bipartisan support.

Democrats and Republicans agree that the app poses a threat to national security.

TikTok is appealing the ban on the grounds that it violates their First Amendment rights.

The Supreme Court will take up the case on Friday morning.

If the Supreme Court upholds the ban, it is meant to come into effect next Sunday, January 19.