Senate Passes Bill Forcing ByteDance to Sell TikTok or Face US Ban
The Senate has passed a foreign aid package that includes a bill compelling China-based company ByteDance to sell TikTok or risk a nationwide ban of the platform in the United States. The legislation, which has already cleared the House, is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden, who has pledged his support for the measure.
Deadline for ByteDance to Sell TikTok
Once the bill becomes law, ByteDance will have a maximum of one year to finalize the sale of TikTok. The company will initially have nine months to complete the transaction, with the president having the discretion to extend the deadline by an additional three months if progress is being made. However, legal challenges could potentially delay the enforcement of the law.
Concerns Over Data Security and Foreign Influence
Lawmakers have expressed apprehension about the potential risks posed by TikTok’s ownership by a China-based company. Their primary concern is that China’s national security law could compel companies based in the country to surrender internal information, potentially compromising the data of US users. Although TikTok is headquartered in Singapore and claims not to store US data in China, some legislators remain skeptical. They also worry that the Chinese government could influence the types of messages US users are exposed to on the platform.
“Congress is not acting to punish ByteDance, TikTok or any other individual company. Congress is acting to prevent house-passes-bill-to-block-personal-data-sales-to-foreign-adversaries/” title=”US House Passes Bill to Block Personal Data Sales to Foreign Adversaries”>foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, maligned operations, harming vulnerable Americans, our servicemen and women, and our U.S. government personnel.”
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) emphasized that the legislation is not intended to target specific companies but rather to safeguard against potential threats from foreign adversaries.
Inadequacy of Project Texas and Concerns for Young Americans
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-VA) pointed out that TikTok’s proposed solution to data governance concerns, known as Project Texas, falls short of addressing the core issues. He noted that the project would still allow TikTok’s algorithm, source code, and development activities to remain under ByteDance’s control in China, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by the Chinese government.
Warner also acknowledged the concerns of many young Americans who use TikTok and fear that this legislation will lead to the platform’s disappearance. He assured them that the goal is not to silence their voices but to protect national security based on information Congress has access to through classified briefings. Warner expressed hope that TikTok will continue to operate under new ownership, whether American or otherwise.
President Biden’s Support and TikTok’s Legal Challenge
In an official statement released shortly after the Senate’s passage of the bill, President Biden pledged to sign the legislation into law as soon as it reaches his desk. He also committed to addressing the American people on the matter to ensure the timely delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine.
According to Bloomberg, TikTok has informed its employees that it intends to challenge the law in court if it is passed.
Update, April 23rd: The article has been updated with an official White House statement.
2 Comments
Well, there goes my endless scrolling through dog videos at 2 a.m.
Guess it’s time to say goodbye to all those dance videos, huh?