Lincoln business wary of TikTok ban, says app brings in customers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The U.S. Senate passed a foreign aid package Tuesday that includes a ban on TikTok.

But Lincoln businesses are keeping their hopes up that the app will stick around. 

“We actually use social media every day,” said Stacy Tamerius, the owner of Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies. “We use it a lot, and it’s really a big factor to getting people to come in the door.”

The businesses showcase cakes, cookies and more on their TikTok account. 

“We really like to highlight the people who make this bakery what it is,” Tamerius said. “TikTok let us show our personality a little bit more and do those fun things.” 

Tamerius said some costumers tell her they come in after seeing a sweet on TikTok.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln business owner says TikTok ban would hurt sales

The social media platform is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company with ties to the nation’s Communist Party. 

The app has an estimated $24.2 billion impact on the U.S. economy, with 170 million American users and 7 million businesses that use it for sales and growth.

The measure being considered by Congress would ban TikTok in the U.S. if ByteDance doesn’t sell it to an American company.

Sen. Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska, voted for the legislation. He said the bill does not ban Tik Tok the way the app says.

“It prevents our foreign adversaries like the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party from owning platforms that can get posted in places like the App Store,” he said.

The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it.