San Francisco's TikTok influencers are bracing for a possible ban of the app. Why it matters: Local content creators and small-business owners depend on TikTok to build their brands and boost their bottom lines.

TikTok is set to be banned on Jan. 19th. SCOTUS will hear arguments Friday from TikTok and its China-based owner ByteDance.

There are entrepreneurs that have used TikTok not only to get income but to get new clients,” Ford said. “There’s so many people that use this app to feed their families

On Friday, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding a law that would ban TikTok in the United States if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app by Jan. 19. The hugely popular platform’s stateside demise would have enormous implications for influencers — some of whom have built followings and livelihoods through the platform — but many of New York City’s top social media creators say they aren’t particularly stressed: They’ve already diversified their brands and grown followings on other platforms.

To the detriment of our favorite trends and sick memes, the long-rumored TikTok ban is on the horizon. The Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether or not it would uphold the current law banning the enormously popular social media app in the United States unless ByteDance sells it by January 19th.