US Senate Passes Bill Threatening TikTok Ban
In a bold move, the US Senate has given the green light to a groundbreaking bill that could spell the end for TikTok in America.
This legislation mandates TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to offload its ownership within nine months or face a complete shutdown of the popular social media app on US soil.
Now, the ball is in the court of US President Joe Biden, who has vowed to put his signature on the bill as soon as it lands on his desk.
When approached for comment, TikTok remained tight-lipped about the development. Previously, ByteDance had expressed strong opposition to any forced sale of TikTok.
If ByteDance is compelled to divest its stake in TikTok, any potential deal would still need the nod from Chinese authorities. However, China has made it clear that it will resist such a move. Experts predict a lengthy bureaucratic process.
The bill was one of four legislations passed, alongside military aid for countries like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The overwhelming majority of 79 Senators supported the bill, while 18 stood in opposition.
Senator Marco Rubio, a key figure on the Intelligence Committee, criticized the previous oversight of TikTok, stating, “For years we’ve allowed the Chinese Communist party to control one of the most popular apps in America that was dangerously short-sighted.”
“A new law is going to require its Chinese owner to sell the app. This is a good move for America,” he added.
Concerns about data privacy and national security have been the driving force behind the push to sever ties between TikTok and ByteDance.
While TikTok argued that the bill would violate the free speech rights of millions of Americans and harm the economy, ByteDance maintained its independence from China, citing its diverse global ownership.
CEO Shou Zi Chew reiterated the company’s commitment to protecting the platform through all legal means, despite facing scrutiny from Congress over its alleged ties to Chinese authorities.
TikTok mobilized a strong lobbying effort and urged its users to oppose the impending ban, but legal expert Carl Tobias predicts a protracted legal battle that could span up to two years.
If no buyer emerges for ByteDance’s stake within the stipulated timeframe, it could delay any punitive action against TikTok in the US. — BBC
