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As if the digital lives of some persons weren't already teetering on the edge, TikTok's potential US shutdown this Saturday has sparked a wave of concern among Jamaican content creators.

On Inauguration Day in January, US President Donald Trump gave the platform a reprieve, barrelling past a law that had been upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court, which said the ban was necessary for national security. Under the law, TikTok's Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance is required to sell the platform to an approved buyer or take it offline in the US. Trump has suggested he could further extend the pause on the ban, but he has also said he expects a deal to be forged by Saturday.

With the deal deadline looming, many worry that the impending crisis could upend the lives of many who rely on the platform as both a creative outlet and a vital source of income. Miss Bling, a TikToker, who is now recovering from cosmetic surgery, has earned the title 'Queen of TikTok'. She shared her heartfelt anxiety with THE WEEKEND STAR.

"Lawd Jesus, mi stress out, mi deh yah pray and a ask God say a hope anno true," she said. Although she lives in the United States of America, her heart remains deeply connected to her Jamaican roots and the loyal audience that supports her every post.

"I'm in the US, but is the people in Jamaica who are really at risk because them depend on the gifts from viewers here," she explained. "I also know that people in the UK contribute, but is not like in the US. TikTok isn't just an app, it's how many of us make a living. If it shut dung, it will hit hard on both sides."

ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS

With the shutdown deadline drawing near, a scramble for alternatives has begun.

"I don't know what's going to happen; everybody a move over to Graveyard and Favorited," she said. She explained that Graveyard is emerging as a haven for creators feeling abandoned by TikTok, while Favorited offers a more creator-friendly commission rate - 20 per cent - compared to TikTok's steep 50 per cent.

For those with established names, a move might be manageable.

"If you already have a following, people will follow you wherever you go. But what about the newcomers? The smaller creators are really in trouble," she warned, her voice tinged with worry for the future of many aspiring artistes. Miss Bling further explained that because of the uncertainty "It's so quiet right now".

"I'm not sure if we're in denial or just nuh believe it will happen. We still hope and pray that someone will do something," she said. "I know I can always switch to YouTube. But what about those without a name?"

Adding another layer to the narrative, Jamaican dancehall artiste Macka Diamond, who is known for her occasional forays into TikTok, offered her own measured perspective.

"Nobody really cares. One time dem usually post video and cry, but now is like nothing matters," she said. "The algorithm isn't the same any more; it nuh promote content like it used to. We affi keep going because to some a wi TikTok is just a side hustle."

For creators like Miss Bling and Macka Diamond, this isn't merely a platform issue, it's a question of livelihood and creative identity. Miss Bling urged her fellow creators to consider diversifying their income streams.

"YouTube pays on the 25th if you hit 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers. It's something we all need to think about," she advised.