A bill that seeks to force ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok, to sell its stake in the popular video-sharing app has the potential to result in Americans losing access to TikTok within months. Lawmakers have raised concerns about TikTok’s ties to China, fearing that the Chinese government could use the platform for spying or covertly influencing the U.S. public. TikTok has tried to address these concerns by implementing measures to safeguard American users’ data, such as the “Project Texas” initiative that stores data on U.S. servers. The House recently passed a measure giving ByteDance the option to sell TikTok within six months or face losing access to app stores and web-hosting services in the U.S.
The fate of the TikTok bill now rests with the Senate, where there is uncertainty about when a vote will take place. While President Biden has indicated he would sign the bill, senators have noted that the Senate typically moves more slowly than the House. Some senators have expressed concerns about rushing the bill without fully considering its implications, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful approach to the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to bringing the bill up for a vote, but pressure is mounting from bipartisan support in the House and the White House’s call to act quickly.
Senators like Mark Warner, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, have started conversations with Schumer about the bill. Warner endorsed the bill after its passage in the House and has also spoken with Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, who has raised concerns about the bill’s constitutionality and its potential impact on civil liberties. Critics of the bill argue that it infringes on the First Amendment rights of the 170 million Americans on TikTok, limiting their ability to express themselves and access information. Some senators are considering amendments to the bill to address these concerns.
The timeline for a Senate vote on the TikTok bill remains uncertain, with senators acknowledging the slower pace of the Senate compared to the House. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota has suggested that it could take months for the Senate to move on the bill. While some senators are advocating for a more deliberate approach to the legislation, others are under pressure to act quickly due to bipartisan support in the House and the White House’s encouragement to move swiftly. The outcome of the bill will have significant implications for the future of TikTok in the U.S. and the ability of Americans to access the popular app.
