This week, we’re all still feeling the aftershock of Trump’s erratic tariff rise. The impact is bleeding into the creator economy, with small creators voicing their struggles while purported Chinese factory workers take advantage.
This round-up also addresses the question of whether a TikTok dance can be considered someone’s intellectual property, as well as the impact that Real IDs might have on “passport maxxing.” If you’re struggling to make sense of it all, that’s fine — after all, that’s what we’re here for. So, for our latest weekend roundup, just keep reading.
TikTok Has Made $39 Billion Outside of China
The future of TikTok US hangs in the balance — but based on these new figures, ByteDance might end up missing out on some big bucks. An inside source told The Information that ByteDance’s international revenue (which is essentially TikTok US revenue) increased by 63% to $39 billion in 2024. That $39 billion made up a quarter of ByteDance’s entire yearly revenue.
So, it’s fair to say that if TikTok really were to shut down on the US, it would be a real financial loss for ByteDance. Perhaps, after pulling out of a TikTok deal at the eleventh hour, these figures will be enough for China to change its tune.
For more, read the full article here.
With Real ID, Will Glam Photos Cause Travel Headaches?
The Real ID era is almost upon us, with the cards rolling out on May 7. The new identification method is set to make traveling more complicated, so make sure you don’t make a common mistake with your Real ID photos.
“Passport glow-ups,” which include dressing to the nines and doing full “birthday makeup” for your passport photo, have been an internet trend since 2022. However, the dangers of wearing a smokey eye and full contour for your official ID can end up getting you into trouble, especially if you end up looking nothing like the person in your picture.
In this article, I reflect on the “passport maxxing” trend, its dangers, and how it relates to the rolling out of Real IDs.
Read the full piece here.
Small Creators Are Suffering Thanks to Trump’s Tariffs
When Donald Trump raised tariffs, business owners worldwide suffered. However, a group whose suffering has gone largely unnoticed is small business owners. Or, more specifically, small business owners working in the fandom industry.
Creators like Vreni Stollberger and Biggles told The Verge how they could only get certain art supplies from China, with the 104% tariffs making this incredibly difficult. “This is my dream,” Biggles said. “Creating things is why I wake up every day. The tariffs felt like [they were] crashing something I worked so hard for.”
You can read the full story here.
What’s Up With Those TikToks of Chinese ‘Factories’ Selling Designer Goods?
Since Trump imposed high tariffs on China, it seems like factory workers are getting their own back. On TikTok, there are users claiming to be employees at factories that make high-end clothes, such as Zara and Lululemon.
Many of these TikToks show users how to buy these clothes directly from Chinese suppliers, which, purportedly, costs only a fraction of the price. However, questions have been raised about these TikToks’ legitimacy.
To learn the full extent of this bizarre trend, click here.
Creator Sues Roblox Over Unlicensed “Apple” Emote
In the creator world, TikTok dances have huge currency. So, it’s no wonder that Kelly Heyer, who originated the ‘Apple’ dance, wants Roblox to pay up. After Heyer’s dance went mega-viral last year, gaming platforms Fortnite and Roblox took notice.
Fortnite negotiated with Heyer to get the ‘Apple’ emote on its platform. However, Roblox ended up launching its own ‘Apple’ emote while it was still in the midst of negotiations.
This prompted Heyer to take legal action, with her lawyer saying: “Kelley is an independent creator who should be compensated fairly for her work, and we saw no other option than to file suit to prove that.”
For the full story, click here.
Passionfruit on YouTube: The Reactorverse Podcast Ep. 52
In the latest episode of the Reactorverse, we spoke to Jacqui Mia Ross: the mastermind behind Movie Night with Jacqui. Since dipping her toe into the reactor world, she has amassed more than 55,000 YouTube channel subscribers. Please check out the video above for the full chat, in which Ross tells us the story of how her academic background led to her becoming a reactor.
