President Biden signed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok within a year.
In nine months, TikTok will be subject to a U.S. ban with a ninety-day grace period.
With a vote of 79–18, the bill was approved by the Senate and includes funding for Israel and Ukraine.
A bill signed by U.S. President Joe Biden requires Chinese company ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, to sell its stake in the app within a year of the law’s inception. As part of a comprehensive legislative package that includes relief for Israel and Ukraine, the social media platform may face a ban from the United States if it violates the regulations above. After the House’s decisive vote over the weekend, the Senate made the final cut by a vote of 79–18.
US Bill Suggests Banning TikTok Without Selling
An extra provision in the law gives ByteDance nine months to find a buyer for TikTok. Ninety days are available after the transaction is finished. If not, Google Play and the App Store will prohibit the use of the TikTok app in the U.S. This action is a result of Huawei’s concerns regarding data security and national security, which are related to its loyalty to China.
Conversely, TikTok is against the “unconstitutional law,” claiming that it has invested a significant amount of money in safeguarding U.S. data from outside influences. In its statement, TikTok stressed that a ban could prevent 170 million American users and 7 million businesses from exercising their right to free speech.
CEO of TikTok Strikes Back Against U.S. Ban
The CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, responded to the news by sharing a video expressing his displeasure. He reaffirmed his commitment to fighting the ban. This legislative action is a continuation of the House’s previous attempt. The House sought to either outlaw TikTok or mandate its sale within six months. However, the Senate chose not to pursue this proposal. This time around, the Senate may have pushed the TikTok bill as part of a larger legislative package from the foreign aid industry.
Our CEO Shou Chew’s response to the TikTok ban: pic.twitter.com/l0RAPJMobK
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) April 24, 2024
The influence and economic impact of TikTok in the United States have been the subject of much discussion. A few weeks ago, TikTok published an economic impact report stating that it had brought in $14.7 billion for small and medium-sized U.S. companies. For artists and small companies around the nation, the platform has proven to be an invaluable resource for promotion.
Several countries have banned TikTok due to security concerns and geopolitical unrest. For example, India outlawed TikTok four years ago following a military confrontation with China. As a result of this precedent, other nations such as Senegal, Nepal, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iran have also prohibited the service.
