TikTok is perilous—unless it’s lucrative. This is the underlying sentiment expressed by numerous U.S. states that prohibited the application on official government equipment but continued to leverage it for promoting sunshine and scenic views via their tourism departments.
Starting from 2022, more than 30 states, including
Texas
, Florida, and
Montana
, imposed restrictions on TikTok on official networks, citing national security concerns. Texas Governor Greg Abbott described it as a platform that
“offers this trove of potentially sensitive information to the Chinese government.”
Yet over at Visit Texas? Still dancing outside Buc-ee’s like the algorithm depends on it.
Florida implemented comparable limitations under Governor Ron DeSantis, however tourism entities have mentioned
@VisitCentralFL
stay engaged with the community, highlighting beaches and family-friendly spots.
And the federal government took aim too. President Biden signed a bill in April 2024 requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban, but the deadline passed months ago. TikTok wasn’t sold. The app is still up, running, and increasingly central to tourism marketing across the country.
Even with these political machinations, TikTok’s appeal remains robust. During 2024, the app attracted roughly an additional 100 million users globally, amassing a user base of about 1.6 billion monthly active participants. Within the U.S., TikTok has surpassed 135 million users, solidifying its role as an essential medium for targeting young audiences.
There’s an irony here that highlights the gap between political rhetoric and financial incentives. While TikTok might be portrayed as a national security risk in Washington, D.C., it remains the primary platform for marketing state parks and coastal getaways to Generation Z.
Beyond moral concerns, governors recognize a solid advertising avenue when they encounter one. Despite what their formal policies might indicate.
Leave a Reply