Biden Signs Bill to Ban TikTok Unless ByteDance Sells the App

TikTok Faces Potential Ban in the U.S. as President Biden Signs Bill

A new bill signed by President Biden could lead to the banning of the popular social media app TikTok in the United States if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, does not sell the platform within a year. The legislation, which also includes aid for Ukraine and Israel, was approved by the U.S. Senate with a 79-18 vote on Tuesday, following the House’s overwhelming majority passage over the weekend.

ByteDance Given Nine Months to Divest TikTok

Under the terms of the bill, ByteDance has a nine-month window to divest TikTok, with the possibility of a 90-day extension to finalize a deal. Failure to sell the app within this timeframe would result in app stores being prohibited from distributing TikTok in the U.S.

TikTok Vows to Challenge “Unconstitutional Law”

In response to the bill’s signing, TikTok released a statement to The Zero Byte, declaring its intention to challenge the “unconstitutional law” in court. The company expressed confidence in its legal position and ultimate success, highlighting its substantial investments in U.S. data security and platform integrity. TikTok also emphasized the potential impact of the ban on 7 million businesses and 170 million American users.

“The fact is, we have invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside influence and manipulation. This ban would devastate 7 million businesses and silence 170 million Americans. As we continue to challenge this unconstitutional ban, we will continue investing and innovating to ensure TikTok remains a space where Americans of all walks of life can safely come to share their experiences, find joy, and be inspired.”

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew shared a video response on Wednesday, expressing disappointment and reaffirming the company’s commitment to fighting the ban.

Previous Attempts to Ban TikTok

In March, the House passed a similar standalone bill aimed at banning TikTok or forcing its sale within six months. However, the Senate did not take up that bill. This time, the TikTok bill was packaged with foreign aid to U.S. allies, effectively compelling the Senate to make a decision.

TikTok’s Economic Impact in the U.S.

Over the past few months, TikTok has been actively advocating for its platform’s importance to creators and small businesses in the United States. The company recently released an economic impact report, revealing that TikTok generated $14.7 billion for small to mid-sized companies in the U.S.

TikTok Bans in Other Countries

The potential ban on TikTok in the U.S. would not be unprecedented. In 2019, India banned the app following a military conflict along the India-China border, leading competitors like YouTube (with YouTube Shorts) and Instagram (with Reels) to capitalize on the opportunity to attract local creators and users. Several other countries, such as Senegal, Nepal, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iran, have also banned the service.