The United States Senate has passed a landmark bill that could potentially ban the popular social media platform TikTok in America. The bill, which passed with widespread support from lawmakers, requires TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform within nine months or face a complete ban in the US. The legislation is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden, who has already indicated his intention to do so.
This development has raised concerns about the potential prohibition of TikTok in the United Kingdom as well. Some officials in the US have expressed concerns that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses national security risks, as it could potentially provide user data to Chinese authorities. However, TikTok has maintained that it is not a Chinese company and has denied these claims.
The bill has faced criticism from TikTok’s content creators, who rely on the platform for their income. It is also likely to face legal challenges based on the First Amendment’s protection of free speech rights. In the wake of the bill’s passage, questions have been raised about potential buyers for TikTok if ByteDance is forced to sell. Tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Oracle, and Rumble have been mentioned as possible contenders.
The bill has also sparked discussions about the potential harm caused by excessive TikTok usage. Research conducted by the Algorithmic Transparency Institute suggests that prolonged use of the platform can lead to mental health risks and impaired sleep. This has raised concerns about the potential negative impact of TikTok on its users.
As the US takes a step closer to banning TikTok, the question of whether the platform should also be banned in the UK remains a topic of debate. The Mirror has conducted a poll to seek public opinion on this matter, providing a platform for individuals to voice their views on the potential prohibition of TikTok in the United Kingdom.
