The Senate passed legislation that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social media platform, under the threat of a ban. This move is expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on TikTok for income. The legislation was included in a larger $95 billion package that provides foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel and was passed 79-18. President Joe Biden has indicated his support for the TikTok proposal and has said he will sign the package as soon as he receives it.
House Republicans attached the TikTok bill to the high-priority package last week, leading to its expedited passage in Congress. The original version of the bill had given ByteDance six months to divest its stakes in TikTok, but it was revised to extend the deadline to nine months, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. The bill also prohibits ByteDance from controlling TikTok’s algorithm, which determines the video content users see based on their interests.
The passage of this legislation reflects long-held bipartisan concerns in Washington over Chinese threats and the ownership of TikTok. Lawmakers and administration officials have worried that Chinese authorities could use TikTok to access U.S. user data or influence Americans by controlling the content on the platform. With 170 million Americans using TikTok, the potential national security risks associated with a Chinese-owned social media platform have been a significant concern for policymakers.
The bill’s passage marks a significant step in addressing these national security concerns and ensuring that user data on TikTok remains secure. By forcing ByteDance to sell the platform, the legislation aims to mitigate the risk of Chinese influence over American users and their data. The inclusion of the TikTok bill in the foreign aid package underscores the importance of addressing national security threats in the digital realm and protecting American interests from potential foreign influence.
While the legislation is expected to face legal challenges and may disrupt the lives of TikTok content creators, it represents a proactive response to growing concerns about Chinese ownership of popular social media platforms. By taking steps to address these concerns now, lawmakers hope to safeguard American national security interests and protect user data from potential foreign interference.
