The possibility of a ban on TikTok in the United States moved closer after the Senate approved a landmark bill aimed at forcing its China-based parent company to sell the app.
The bill gives ByteDance nine months to sell the popular social media platform – with the possibility of a three-month extension to finalize a deal – otherwise the app will be blocked.
The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday as part of a broader plan. A $95bn (£76.2bn) program that provides foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel.
It will now be sent to the American president Joe Bidenwho will sign it on Wednesday.
However, the company will likely launch a lawsuit against the bill, arguing that it would deprive America’s 170 million users of their First Amendment rights, which protect free speech.
He could also face opposition from TikTok content creators who rely on the platform for their income, while China previously said it would oppose a forced sale of the popular app.
The bill is the culmination of long-standing fears on both sides of the political spectrum in Washington over TikTok ownership.
For years, U.S. politicians and officials have expressed concern that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data.
TikTok said it has never done this and would not do it if asked.
The use of TikTok by nearly four million federal government employees on devices owned by its agencies is already prohibited in the United States, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security purposes. security research.
Read more on Sky News:
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Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell said the move to force the sale of TikTok was not intended to “punish” ByteDance, TikTok or other companies.
“Congress is acting to prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance and smear operations, harming vulnerable Americans, our military and our U.S. government personnel,” she said.
Sky News has contacted TikTok for comment.
The possibility of a ban on TikTok in the United States moved closer after the Senate approved a landmark bill aimed at forcing its China-based parent company to sell the app.
The bill gives ByteDance nine months to sell the popular social media platform – with the possibility of a three-month extension to finalize a deal – otherwise the app will be blocked.
The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday as part of a broader plan. A $95bn (£76.2bn) program that provides foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel.
It will now be sent to the American president Joe Bidenwho will sign it on Wednesday.
However, the company will likely launch a lawsuit against the bill, arguing that it would deprive America’s 170 million users of their First Amendment rights, which protect free speech.
He could also face opposition from TikTok content creators who rely on the platform for their income, while China previously said it would oppose a forced sale of the popular app.
The bill is the culmination of long-standing fears on both sides of the political spectrum in Washington over TikTok ownership.
For years, U.S. politicians and officials have expressed concern that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data.
TikTok said it has never done this and would not do it if asked.
The use of TikTok by nearly four million federal government employees on devices owned by its agencies is already prohibited in the United States, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security purposes. security research.
Read more on Sky News:
How “TikTok idiots” are disrupting police investigations
TikTok CEO calls on users to oppose possible US ban
Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell said the move to force the sale of TikTok was not intended to “punish” ByteDance, TikTok or other companies.
“Congress is acting to prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance and smear operations, harming vulnerable Americans, our military and our U.S. government personnel,” she said.
Sky News has contacted TikTok for comment.
