CHICAGO (CBS) — The social media app TikTok filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government Tuesday , trying to fend off new legislation that could essentially ban the platform next year.
A Chicago business owner on Tuesday explained how crucial the app is to his business.
“I have had posts that have gotten over 30 million views,” said Dr. Benjamin Caughlin, a plastic surgeon and the owner of Many Faces of Chicago. “So that’s like a Super Bowl commercial – and it’s free.”
In his office, Caughlin displays a map with pins and yarn attached to show how some of his patients have found him from across the country—estimating up to 20% of his plastic surgery patients come to him from TikTok. He has 480,000 followers on the platform.
“Patients care more about your TikTok blue checkmark than they do your—I have two board certifications. Nobody ever asked me. They don’t care,” said Caughlin. I mean, it’s crazy, you know? I think it’s a powerful thing.”