Tired of the TikTok Drama? Meet Neptune
It seems like TikTok might actually get banned in the U.S., at least for a little while (althought I’m still holding out hope for an 11th hour save). And while some people are taking this opportunity to tell content creators to “get a real job”, the reality is that this move will disproportionately impact women, stay-at-home-moms and small business owners who rely on TikTok to feed their families. In fact, it’s estimated that 2 million American creators will lose over $300 million USD in the first month of the ban alone. And this represents a significant loss in tax dollars for the US government, too.
So, how did we get here? Why is the US government so intent on banning TikTok?
Possible Ties to the Chinese Government
The USA’s argument is that because TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is Chinese-owned, it poses a national security risk to Americans. There are concerns about just how much data TikTok collects and what they do with that data.
There were even congressional hearings held on the subject, with TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew forced to answer asinine questions from government representatives about his heritage and whether or not TikTok could access “a WiFi”. These officials clearly had no idea what they were talking about, and came out sounding unbearably ignorant and out of touch.
(Side Note: I personally believe you shouldn’t be allowed to legislate social media platforms if you’re unable to operate a smartphone or rename your WiFi network without your grandkids’ help but I digress!)
In the end, the US wanted to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American entity, so that they could have assurances on what was being done with American users’ data. Because American tech companies are notoriously great with handling user data…. (Cambridge Analytica, anyone?!)
TikTok essentially refused to sell, and now they face being banned in the US.
Users now find themselves on high alert, wondering where they’ll turn next for entertainment and connection. And while the American tech bros were probably hoping it would be THEIR platforms, that isn’t looking to be the case.
TikTok Alternatives?
One of the most Google’d search terms in the past week was actually “how do I delete my Facebook account permanently”. This comes in light of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that they’re basically saying goodbye to fact-checking on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, throwing the door wide open for misinformation to run rampant.
So yeah, Meta-owned platforms aren’t really an option.
But what about X, the platform formerly known as Twitter? Well, they recently made it possible for anyone you’ve ever blocked to see your content, a move that convinced this social media aficionado to delete her account altogether.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, has been driving that platform into the ground, increasingly using it to fulfill his own agenda. Coupled with his shady ties to Donald Trump and the alt-right, many people have been left feeling seriously uneasy.
Exhausted yet? I know I am.
An ACTUAL Alternative in the Works
If you’re over all this nonsense, let me introduce you to Neptune.
Neptune is American-owned, femme-founded, and it wasn’t built to be just another social media platform. It was designed to give creators more power over their content while helping users discover and connect in a smarter way. Think media streaming meets actual community engagement, with a whole lot of cool features designed to make your experience better.
Their founder and CEO, Ashley Darling, is a lifelong musician and singer, bringing her creative passion to every aspect of Neptune’s development.
Neptune could present the alternative we’ve been craving. It’s giving “we actually care about your experience” and is built for people who want more control over what they post, what they see, and how they make money.
Here’s what Neptune will offer:
Monetization tools: Because creators deserve to get paid without jumping through flaming hoops.
Personalized content discovery: Neptune doesn’t just throw random viral clips at you. It actually HELPS you find content you want to see.
Direct engagement with audiences: Neptune makes it easier to connect with your followers in real time.
Customizable profiles: Finally, profiles that actually feel personal. Think early MySpace vibes.
User-controlled algorithms: Tired of mysterious algorithms deciding what you see? Neptune lets YOU be in charge.
With all the drama surrounding TikTok, Meta and X, social media users the world over are scrambling for a new platform where they can be entertained, engaged… and NOT exploited. Enter Neptune, which is about to enter beta testing mode (and your girl has signed up to be a beta tester!!!) While I haven’t played around with the app just yet, I am getting really good vibes about this one.
Whether or not TikTok actually ends up being permanently banned in the US, Neptune is the one to watch. It’s got all the ingredients of a platform that could change the game; no shady billionaires required.
