Business

TikTok creators, business owners protest planned ban of app, say it threatens lives, livelihoods

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

TikTok creators, business owners protest planned ban of app, say it threatens lives, livelihoods

Small business owners, community advocates and educators have spoken against the US House’s overwhelming approval of a proposal to ban a popular app, TikTok.

The Washington Post reports that many content creators among others protested outside the Capitol on Wednesday March 13 after the House approved the proposal.

Contributing about $14.7 billion in revenue for small-business owners last year and $24.2 billion to US Gross Domestic Product, educators, activists, small business owners and young people who use TikTok argue that the app plays an increasingly crucial role in the national economy and American public life.

“Banning TikTok would shut down a lot of small businesses, including mine,” said Brandon Hurst, 30, a Los Angeles plant shop owner who credits the app with boosting lackluster sales. “These representatives and senators don’t understand that what they’re doing won’t just harm people they call ‘content creators.’ It would hurt small businesses.”

Dozens of TikTok supporters gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday to oppose the measure, which passed the House with overwhelming support but faces an uncertain fate in the Senate.

Among them was Gigi Gonzalez, a financial educator from Chicago who said a TikTok ban would destroy her financially.

“It would get rid of my biggest source of revenue,” said Gonzalez, 34, who said she earns her living largely through brand deals on TikTok, speaking gigs she secures through TikTok and digital courses that she sells through TikTok. Before TikTok, Gonzalez said she mostly tried to reach people through webinars, which drew sparse attendance. Now, she said, she reaches millions, many of whom buy her courses and books.

“TikTok provides more benefit than harm than any other social media platform,” added Heather DiRocco, an artist and content creator from Montana who makes money by touting products in her videos and through the platform’s creativity program beta, which pays creators based on the number of views they amass on videos over a minute in length.

DiRocco is one of several plaintiffs seeking to overturn Montana’s first-in-the-nation ban on TikTok, which was set to take effect in January but was blocked by a federal judge.

“I could not replicate the money that I make on TikTok through any other platform,” DiRocco said. If a national ban passes Congress and President Biden follows through on his pledge to sign it, she said, “I will lose my biggest platform as a content creator, stripped from me with no recompense or compensation.”

Since rebranding in 2018 under the name TikTok, the app has risen to become one of the most popular social media platforms, with 170 million monthly users in the United States alone.

Hundreds of thousands of content creators make a living on the app, which has skyrocketed artists and influencers such as Lil Nas X, Doja Cat and Charli D’Amelio to overnight fame.

More than seven million American businesses market or sell their products through TikTok, according to the company.

According to a study issued Wednesday by Oxford Economics, a financial consultancy, TikTok drove $14.7 billion in revenue for small-business owners last year and contributed $24.2 billion to US Gross Domestic Product.

The study also found that TikTok supports at least 224,000 American jobs, with the greatest economic impact in California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois.

In addition to its economic impact, TikTok has become a huge educational hub.

Through its #LearnOnTikTok initiative, the company has partnered with more than 800 public figures, publishers, educational institutions and subject matter experts to bring educational material to the app.

TikTok also gives grants to educators and nonprofits that produce educational content.

“Both sides of the aisle know that TikTok is a crucial tool that many — particularly young people — use for education, advocacy and organizing,” said Annie Wu Henry, a digital strategist and content creator.

“It’s incredibly clear, too, that many of these politicians don’t fully understand what the app is that they are trying to ban or even why they are trying to ban it.”

Even as TikTok has become increasingly important economically, it has drawn fire from policymakers in both parties, who have expressed concern about the content being served to users of the app and about its parent company’s ties to China.

On Wednesday, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tex.) posted to X that “voting against this bill is a vote for the Chinese Communist Party.”

TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew responded to the House vote in a video, calling the result “disappointing” and encouraging the app’s users to speak out against the legislation.

“Over the last few years, we have invested to keep your data safe and our platform free from outside manipulation,” he said.

“We have committed that we will continue to do so. This legislation, if signed into law, will lead to a ban of TikTok in the United States. … It will also take billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses.”

Proponents of the House measure claim the bill is not intended to ban the app, though experts say it would function as a ban.

The measure would require TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, to be sold to a US-based company within 180 days, which many say is unfeasible.

After that period web-hosting services would be prohibited from providing TikTok to the public.

Opponents of the measure are skeptical.

“It’s unrealistic that TikTok’s parent company would be able to sell the app within the US within six months, which is the time period the government mandates under this bill,” said Nora Benavidez, a civil rights and free-speech attorney and senior counsel at Free Press, a nonpartisan organization focused on protecting civil liberties.

“Faced with that likely scenario, the penalties they’d face in the case of such an event would result in TikTok being banned.”

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who voted against the measure, told a rally of opponents on Tuesday that “any ban on TikTok is not just banning the freedom of expression — you’re literally causing huge harm to our national economy.”

“Small-business owners across the country use TikTok to move our economy forward. Some of these creators and these business owners solely depend on TikTok for their revenue and their job,” Garcia said.

“To rush a process forward that could ban their form of work — particularly young people in this country — is misguided.”

Garcia added that the app is an important connection point for various social groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.

Tiffany Yu, 35, a disability activist in Los Angeles, said banning the app would be especially harmful to disabled people, many of whom have found it to be a lifeline during the isolation of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which is still keeping public spaces off limits to vulnerable people.

“TikTok has been able to help us find each other. Losing TikTok would remove us from that social fabric,” Yu said, adding that TikTok has become an economic lifeline for a group whose “unemployment rates are twice that of our non-disabled peers.”

The House bill would strip “millions of Americans of their rights of freedom of speech, and it’s really not okay,” said Carly Goddard, a content creator who also is a plaintiff in the case against the Montana TikTok ban.

“On TikTok, you see … what is going on in our world,” Goddard said. And “there is more to worry about in our world than banning an app.”

Related Topics:ban Featured TikTok US House

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Nigeria’s crude oil production rose in February – OPEC

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SERAP Takes NNPCL to Court Over Alleged ₦5.9bn Rebranding Expenditure

Published

18 minutes ago

June 14, 2026

Trends Admin

SERAP Takes NNPCL to Court Over Alleged ₦5.9bn Rebranding Expenditure

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to court over an alleged ₦5.9 billion expenditure linked to the incorporation, transition and rebranding of the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into NNPCL.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1248/2026, seeks an order compelling NNPCL to provide a comprehensive account of how the funds were spent and whether all approvals and procurement procedures were properly followed.

According to SERAP, the disputed amount comprises about ₦2.9 billion reportedly spent on incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds and another ₦2.9 billion allegedly charged by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to crude oil revenues for the transition process.

The rights group is asking the court to direct NNPCL to release a detailed reconciliation statement showing all financial transactions related to the expenditure. SERAP is also seeking information on contractors involved in the rebranding exercise, the services they rendered, and the amounts paid to them.

In addition, SERAP wants NNPCL to disclose the identities and official positions of government officials who approved and authorized the expenditure. The organization argues that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know how public resources were utilized during the transformation of NNPC into NNPCL.

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The suit was filed by SERAP’s legal team, including Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo. According to the organization, transparency and accountability are essential in the management of public funds, particularly in the oil and gas sector, which remains one of Nigeria’s most important sources of revenue.

SERAP maintained that the public deserves answers regarding who approved the spending, who received the funds, and whether the expenditure represented value for money. The organization further argued that the alleged failure to account for the funds raises concerns about public trust and good governance.

The lawsuit also references concerns reportedly raised by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which questioned the size of the expenditure and reportedly called for further explanations and legislative scrutiny.

Before approaching the court, SERAP had written to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to direct anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the reported spending and identify those responsible for approving and receiving the funds.

According to SERAP, the matter goes beyond financial disclosure and touches on broader issues of accountability, transparency and responsible management of national resources. The organization contends that failure to provide details of the expenditure may be inconsistent with constitutional provisions designed to promote openness in public administration.

SERAP also cited Nigeria’s obligations under international anti-corruption frameworks, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which emphasize transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

The transformation of NNPC into NNPCL followed the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which restructured the national oil company into a commercially oriented limited liability company wholly owned by the Federal Government. The transition was officially unveiled in July 2022 as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s petroleum industry and improve operational efficiency.

As of the time of filing this report, no hearing date has been fixed for the case, while NNPCL has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the lawsuit.

SERAP Takes NNPCL to Court Over Alleged ₦5.9bn Rebranding Expenditure

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Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour

Published

10 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Trends Admin

L-R: Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo; Head of Admin and Due Diligence, Zenith Bank, Mr. Callixtus Nwodo; and Head, Dealer Development and Special Duties at Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Henry Ojuoko, during the presentation of Toyota Starlet Cross to Zenith as winner of TNL Evergreen Customer award in Lagos.

Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour

Toyota (Nigeria) Limited celebrated customer loyalty, strategic partnerships and industry excellence at its 2026 Awards and Customers’ Night in Lagos, with Zenith Bank, AGL Motors and leading automotive journalists emerging among the biggest winners.

The event, which coincided with Toyota Nigeria’s 30th anniversary celebrations, attracted customers, dealers, government officials, financial institutions, media practitioners and other stakeholders who have contributed to the company’s growth over the past three decades.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Evergreen Customer of the Year Award to Zenith Bank Plc in recognition of its status as Toyota Nigeria’s most consistent customer over the last five years.

The award came with a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross, presented by the company’s Chairman and founder, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo; Chairman of TNL, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, and MD/CEO, AGL Motors Ltd, Alhaji AbdulAfeez Gabar Lado, at the presentation of the 2025 best customer award to AGL Motors at the Toyota Awards in Lagos.

AGL Motors received recognition as Customer of the Year after recording the highest volume of Toyota vehicle purchases in 2025. The Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank finished as first and second runners-up respectively in the category, with winners receiving office equipment worth several millions of naira.

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Toyota Nigeria also used the occasion to honour members of the media for their contributions to automotive journalism and public understanding of developments in the sector. Theodore Opara of Vanguard won the Journalist of the Year Award, while Mike Ochonma of Transport World and Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends emerged first and second runners-up respectively.

In his address, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, described the annual gathering as a celebration of the enduring relationships that have shaped the company’s success since it commenced operations in 1996.

“Tonight is a moment of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment,” he said, noting that the event underscores Toyota’s customer-first philosophy and appreciation for the loyalty and trust of its stakeholders.

According to him, Toyota Nigeria has grown into one of the country’s most trusted automotive brands through its commitment to quality products, reliable after-sales support and continuous investment in customer satisfaction.

Ade-Ojo assured customers that despite prevailing economic challenges, the company would continue to introduce initiatives aimed at making vehicle ownership easier and more accessible for Nigerians.

He also expressed appreciation to dealers, customers, suppliers, consultants, financial institutions and employees for their support over the years, describing them as critical partners in Toyota Nigeria’s journey and future growth.

Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour

Business

Facebook, Instagram Global Outage: Over 130,000 Reports as Millions Logged Out

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Facebook, Instagram Global Outage: Over 130,000 Reports as Millions Logged Out

NEW YORK/LONDON/SINGAPORE – Meta-owned social media platforms Facebook and Instagram experienced a widespread outage on Friday, June 12, 2026, leaving millions of users across the world unable to access their accounts as the disruption affected the entire ecosystem of Meta-owned services.

The disruption affected Facebook’s main website, mobile application and Messenger service, with many users reporting that they were automatically logged out of their accounts. The trouble appeared to begin on WhatsApp before spreading across Meta’s platforms. Users attempting to access Facebook received error messages including “an unexpected error occurred,” “sorry, something went wrong,” and “Query Error.”

Visitors to Facebook’s website were shown a notice stating that the company was working to resolve the issue. The disruption began at approximately 10:00 AM Eastern Time (2:00 PM GMT) , with users reporting being unable to load feeds or access core features on affected platforms.

According to outage-tracking platform Downdetector, the scale of the disruption was substantial. Facebook recorded over 130,000 user reports at its peak, while Instagram logged approximately 9,500 complaints. Reuters reported more than 62,000 complaints for Facebook and over 8,000 for Instagram during the peak of the disruption.

Reports of the outage quickly flooded social media platform X, formerly Twitter, as users turned to the site to confirm whether others were experiencing similar problems. While Facebook and Instagram were the most affected services, WhatsApp and Messenger also experienced significant disruptions.

The outage appeared to be global, with complaints emerging from multiple countries within a short period. The disruption affected users across the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Philippines, India, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. In Singapore, reports about Facebook spiked on Downdetector at approximately 1:00 PM GMT.

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According to outage-tracking website StatusGator, users in the Philippines, India, Australia, Canada, and the United States also reported issues with Meta’s various applications. In Vietnam, users began reporting problems at approximately 8:40 PM local time, and the issue was reported resolved by approximately 9:20 PM local time.

Meta communications director Andy Stone confirmed the company was aware of the issue. “We’re aware people are currently having trouble accessing our services. We’re working on it,” Stone wrote in a post on X.

The company’s internal status page logged “high disruptions” across its business products, including Facebook Ads Manager, the Messenger Platform, the Messenger API for Instagram, and the WhatsApp Business Platform. Advertisers reported being unable to create or edit ads during the disruption, and Meta apologized “for any inconvenience.”

Notably, while Facebook and Messenger experienced issues, some users reported that Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp remained operational for certain regions or devices. However, many users still reported issues accessing these services depending on their location and device type.

The disruption was not limited to mobile applications. Users attempting to access Facebook and Instagram through web browsers also encountered error messages and were unable to load content normally. Some users reported that Facebook’s mobile app worked while the desktop site displayed errors, highlighting the uneven nature of the disruption.

Meta’s own status page, which is responsible for providing real-time information about platform responsiveness, failed to provide valuable data during the incident. Throughout the disruption period, the page displayed all services as having “no errors detected,” potentially leading users to believe the problem was on their end rather than the platform.

Downdetector’s own website experienced technical difficulties around the same time as the outage, though it was not immediately clear whether the two events were connected. Before becoming unavailable, the platform had logged tens of thousands of error reports within minutes.

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The disruption adds to a series of intermittent outages affecting Meta’s family of apps in recent years. In one major outage in March 2026, Facebook and Instagram users across several countries reported being unable to load feeds or access accounts for several hours. A separate disruption earlier that month also affected thousands of users globally.

Prior to 2026, Meta experienced major outages in March 2024, when the entire ecosystem including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads was down for over two hours, with Downdetector recording over 550,000 outage reports. Another similar incident occurred in December 2024, disrupting communication for millions of accounts worldwide.

Meta representatives have stated in both previous instances that the root cause stemmed from internal technical issues, emphasizing that these incidents were independent of each other and completely unrelated to external cyberattacks.

By midday Eastern Time (approximately two hours after the outage began), service was recovering unevenly, region by region. Meta marked some services, such as ad delivery, as resolved, while others remained “in the process of being restored.”

On the consumer side, Facebook was loading closer to normal and Downdetector reports were falling, though some users still saw empty Stories bars, stale feeds, or “Try Again” errors. In Vietnam, the issue was reported resolved by approximately 9:20 PM local time.

The scale of the disruption underscored the central role Meta’s platforms play in global communication and commerce. Even a few hours of downtime ripples through messaging services, business operations, and login authentication systems far beyond the social media feed.

Meta has not yet released an official statement regarding the specific cause of this latest outage as of the time of finalizing this report. The company has not provided an estimated timeline for when all services will be fully restored, though restoration efforts continue to proceed.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as Meta provides official explanation of the cause and confirms full restoration of all services.