TikTok ban update: Bill being considered in US Senate could affect local businesses promoting on social media [Video]

CHICAGO (WLS) — Lincoln Park’s XO Marshmallow has been in business nine years and uses TikTok as a way to reach more customers and sell more marshmallows. The owners say the strategy has paid off in spades.

“We’re one of the beta people on TikTok Shop that started back in April,” said co-owner Lindzi Shanks. “We’ve made over seven figures just on TikTok Shop alone.”

Soon, however, businesses like XO Marshmallow and individual content creators who have flourished on the platform may find themselves having to go elsewhere. The U.S. Senate is considering a bill, approved by the House two weeks ago, that essentially gives the Chinese owner of TikTok two choices: sell their stake in the app or face a ban in the United States.

The Biden administration has found itself walking a fine line on the issue.

“We are concerned about the owner of TikTok and the national security implications,” said …