US Lawmakers Push for TikTok Ban Amid National Security Concerns
On April 24th, President Joe Biden signed a bill that could potentially ban TikTok, the popular short-form video app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, if the company fails to sell the platform within a year. ByteDance has been given a nine-month window to divest itself from the app, with a possible three-month extension if the President is satisfied with its progress.
Politicians Accuse TikTok of Being a Propaganda Tool and Security Risk
The discussions surrounding a potential TikTok ban have seen politicians in the US and internationally accusing the app of being a tool for propaganda and a security risk. These attempts to force a sale of TikTok initially began under the Trump administration before culminating in the recent successful legislative push in late April.
TikTok Bans Across the US Prior to the Law’s Signing
Before the law was signed, a series of TikTok bans across the US prohibited the app from being used on devices connected to universities and government hardware at the state, local, and federal levels.
Experts Question the Extent of TikTok’s Privacy Risks
Despite the concerns raised by politicians, some experts argue that there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok has caused any more damage or risked user privacy beyond what has been observed from companies like Facebook or Google. Nevertheless, politicians successfully passed a measure to ban TikTok entirely if they cannot force a separation from ByteDance.
The Road to the TikTok Ban: A Sudden Resurgence
The US push to force TikTok to divorce from its Chinese parent company or face a complete ban had faded from public discussion for nearly a year. However, in just over a week, it suddenly jumped from the pile of forgotten ideas to being halfway through the process of becoming law.
This is not an attempt to ban TikTok. It’s an attempt to make TikTok better. Tic-tac-toe. A winner.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that the bill that incentivizes China-based ByteDance to sell TikTok “is not an attempt to ban TikTok. It’s an attempt to make TikTok better. Tic-tac-toe. A winner.” After passing the House with 352 votes, the bill now must clear the Senate to reach the president’s desk.
The Future of TikTok in the US
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain. While some argue for the need to address national security concerns, others question the lack of evidence presented to justify such a drastic measure.
If Congress wants to ban TikTok it should probably show us the evidence of Chinese interference.
As Nilay Patel, a prominent tech journalist, points out, “If this thing is going to move forward in the Senate it seems like we should at least know the basics.”
The coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of TikTok in the US, as ByteDance navigates the complex process of potentially selling the app while lawmakers continue to debate the necessity and implications of such a ban.
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