In a significant move, the US Congress has passed a bill to ban TikTok over concerns related to national security and data privacy. The bill, which received bipartisan support, will require federal employees and contractors to remove the popular short-video platform from their devices and prohibit its use on government-owned networks. Additionally, the bill extends the divestment period for certain US investments in Chinese companies from six months to one year.
The move follows months of congressional fast-tracking and intense lobbying efforts. It comes after reports that the Chinese embassy had lobbied congressional staff against the bill, which Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) described as “a stunning confirmation” of the value the Chinese government places on shaping Americans’ TikTok experience.
The ban on TikTok stems from concerns over data privacy and national security, as well as allegations that the company mishandled user data and has potential ties to the Chinese government. TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, is based in Beijing, which raises concerns about the Chinese government’s access to user data.
TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, arguing that the data of US users is stored in the US and that the Chinese government has not demanded access to it. The company has also vowed to challenge the bill in court, claiming that it violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million American users. A federal judge in Montana had previously blocked a state-level ban on TikTok, citing First Amendment concerns.
Despite TikTok’s efforts to allay concerns, the congressional vote marks a significant development in the US government’s approach toward Chinese-owned companies. It could potentially set a precedent for future actions against such companies, particularly those operating in the technology sector.
The ban is also expected to have a significant impact on TikTok’s operations in the US, where it has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, becoming a cultural sensation with over 175 million users. However, it remains unclear when the ban will take effect, as it is subject to potential legal challenges and negotiations with the Chinese government.
Analysts believe that the ban could prompt a protracted legal battle and negotiations with Beijing over the terms of any potential public offering of shares for TikTok’s future. Additionally, they emphasize the need for ByteDance to find a way to satisfy both the Chinese and US governments in order to ensure the viability of TikTok in the US.
