The House of Representatives passed a bill requiring TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the platform or risk a complete ban in the US. The Senate quickly followed suit, and the bill was signed by Joe Biden the next day.
This move poses a significant threat to TikTok in the US, especially since a previous ban in Montana was ruled unconstitutional and never enforced.
Here’s what you need to know about the bill, the possibility of a TikTok ban, and its implications for the platform’s 170 million US users.
Is the US really trying to ban TikTok and why?
The bill passed by the House is part of an ongoing political battle over TikTok, a platform that has seen massive growth since its launch in 2017. Lawmakers are concerned about data privacy and censorship issues related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company.
Despite TikTok’s assurances about data storage and access, lawmakers remain skeptical, leading to the recent legislation.
Various attempts to regulate TikTok in the US have been made, culminating in the recent bill passing in the House.
Does this bill really ban TikTok?
Under the bill, ByteDance must divest from TikTok within 165 days to avoid a ban. App stores could face penalties for hosting TikTok if the divestiture does not occur.
Supporters argue the bill offers ByteDance an opportunity to avoid a ban by selling TikTok to non-Chinese companies.
TikTok disputes this, claiming uncertainty about the sale’s approval and completion within the specified timeframe.
How did we get here?
Past bans and restrictions on TikTok, including efforts by former President Trump, have laid the groundwork for the current situation. Montana and other states have previously attempted bans, but legal challenges have prevented enforcement.
Recent demands from the Treasury Department raised concerns, leading to the development of the current bill.
How will the TikTok ban be enforced?
Enforcing a ban on TikTok faces technical and legal challenges due to the decentralized nature of the internet. Methods like blocking IP addresses could be circumvented using VPNs.
To fully restrict TikTok, the US would need to adopt stringent internet restrictions used by countries like China.
Who supports a possible TikTok ban?
Most Republicans and the Biden administration back the bill, with President Trump’s stance evolving over time. Efforts to ban TikTok have garnered bipartisan support.
Despite some opposition, the bill’s supporters believe it is crucial for national security and data privacy concerns.
Who opposes the TikTok bill?
TikTok vehemently opposes the bill and urges the Senate to reject it. Some lawmakers and civil rights groups argue the bill threatens free speech rights and could set a dangerous precedent.
Opponents of the bill emphasize the need for comprehensive social media regulation rather than targeting specific platforms like TikTok.
What will happen to TikTok in the future?
The bill still faces hurdles in the Senate, and its enforcement could be complex. TikTok’s lobbying efforts and legal challenges could impact the bill’s implementation.
Even if passed, legal challenges may arise, similar to previous bans that were blocked on constitutional grounds.
Source: www.theguardian.com
