Senate’s Bill Compels Sale of TikTok’s Parent Company or Risk Ban
Legislation passed Tuesday by the Senate would require the China-based parent company of TikTok to sell the social media platform or face a ban. This move by U.S. lawmakers is expected to lead to legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on TikTok for income.
The TikTok provision was part of a larger $95 billion package that includes foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, and it was approved with a vote of 79-18. The bill now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature, as he has expressed support for the proposal.
House Republicans attached the TikTok bill to the aid package last week, which helped move it through Congress after negotiations with the Senate. The revised legislation gives ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, nine months to sell the platform, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. The bill also prohibits ByteDance from controlling TikTok’s proprietary algorithm.
Lawmakers have long expressed concerns over Chinese threats and TikTok’s ownership, as the app is used by 170 million Americans. The bill aims to prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, and other harmful activities using TikTok.
Opponents of the bill argue that banning TikTok is an extreme measure and that stronger data privacy laws should be implemented instead. They question the urgency of the threat posed by TikTok and its alleged ties to the Chinese government.
China has opposed the forced sale of TikTok, and the company itself is preparing to challenge the legislation in court. Previous court challenges have resulted in temporary blocks of bans or restrictions on TikTok.
Many TikTok content creators have voiced their opposition to the legislation, stating that TikTok is a safe platform for users. Some creators gathered at the Capitol building to protest the bill, highlighting the impact it could have on their livelihoods.
The future of TikTok remains uncertain as legal challenges and negotiations continue between ByteDance and U.S. government agencies. Content creators and stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments surrounding TikTok’s ownership and operations.
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