The US Senate has approved a substantial bill that could result in the banning of TikTok in the United States. The legislation gives ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, a nine-month deadline to sell its stake in the app. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok will be prohibited in the United States. The bill, which is part of a broader package providing military aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other US partners in the Indo-Pacific region, received overwhelming support from lawmakers, with 79 senators voting in favor and 18 voting against it.
Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee, emphasized the urgency of the measure, arguing that it was “dangerously short-sighted” to allow the Chinese Communist Party to control such a popular app in the United States. He hailed the new legislation, which mandates the sale of the app by ByteDance, as a positive step for America’s national security.
While ByteDance has yet to comment on the Senate’s decision, it has previously expressed its opposition to any forced sale of TikTok. The company’s position is consistent with Beijing’s vow to challenge such actions, which could lead to a lengthy legal battle if the bill is enacted into law.
TikTok, in its defense, has argued against the bill, raising concerns about free speech rights and the economic consequences of a potential ban. Shou Zi Chew, the platform’s chief executive, reaffirmed the company’s intention to defend its interests through legal action.
Legal experts, however, predict a protracted legal process, estimating that a resolution could take up to two years to achieve. Furthermore, the bill’s nine-month deadline for ByteDance to divest its ownership introduces additional complexities, potentially delaying any immediate action against TikTok in the US.
Congressional concerns about data security and the potential for sensitive information to fall into Chinese hands have been the driving forces behind the push to sever TikTok’s connections with ByteDance. Despite assurances from TikTok and ByteDance that they operate independently of Chinese influence, the specter of data privacy continues to dominate the debate.
As the bill now goes to President Joe Biden for approval, the consequences for TikTok’s future in the US remain uncertain, pending further developments in the legal and geopolitical arenas.
