In this episode of "We Fixed It, You're Welcome" the hosts tackle the complex issue of the TikTok ban in the United States. Joined by guests Braeden Sorbo (TikTok influencer), Dylan Conroy (talent agent), and Sam Palazzolo (finance expert), they explore the multifaceted challenges facing the platform. The discussion covers national security concerns, data privacy, content moderation, and the impact on creators and businesses. The panel debates potential solutions, including American ownership, algorithm transparency, and creator diversification across platforms. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, they offer insights on balancing free speech, user safety, and business interests in the evolving social media landscape. The episode highlights the far-reaching implications of TikTok's fate for creators, users, and the broader tech industry. Braeden Sorbo TikTok Dylan Conroy Sam Palazzolo (https://www.sampalazzolo.com/) TikTok's Rise and Current Challenges Brief history of TikTok's evolution from Zhuyun to its current form Discussion of the recent 14-hour ban in the US and ongoing security concerns Security and Data Privacy Concerns Sam Palazzolo emphasizes the importance of national and individual security Dylan Conroy draws parallels to other Chinese tech platforms like Deep Seek Creator Economy and Monetization Braeden Sorbo shares insights on TikTok's creator fund and monetization challenges Dylan Conroy discusses the discrepancy in influencer rates between platforms Platform Diversification for Creators Dylan Conroy advises creators to diversify across multiple platforms Importance of building sustainable business models independent of social platforms Content Moderation and Algorithm Concerns Discussion on the impact of echo chambers and content manipulation Debate on the balance between free speech and responsible content curation Business Implications of a Potential TikTok Ban Analysis of how businesses and influencers might adapt to a TikTok shutdown Exploration of alternative platforms and their readiness to fill the void Social Commerce Integration Melissa Eaton inquires about TikTok's shopping integration compared to other platforms Dylan Conroy provides insights on YouTube Shop and emerging e-commerce trends in social media Potential Solutions and Future Outlook Discussion on possible ownership changes and their implications Debate on who should potentially acquire TikTok's majority stake __________________ Disclaimer: A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We're here to ask the kinds of questions everyone's thinking. Have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you're welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners. Music by Milo W. Produced by Straight Forward Media Group See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.