Senate Passes Legislation to Force Sale of TikTok’s Parent Company

Senate Passes Legislation to Force Sale of TikTok, Threatening Ban

In a bold move that is expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators, the Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular social media platform under the threat of a ban. The legislation was included as part of a larger $95 billion package providing foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, and was passed by a vote of 79-18.

The bill, which now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature, extends the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to nine months, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. The legislation also prohibits ByteDance from controlling TikTok’s algorithm, which is a key feature of the platform.

The passage of this legislation comes after years of bipartisan concerns in Washington over Chinese threats and the ownership of TikTok, which is used by 170 million Americans. Lawmakers and administration officials have expressed worries that Chinese authorities could access U.S. user data or influence Americans through TikTok.

While supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect national security, opponents believe that a comprehensive federal data privacy law targeting all companies would be a better solution. They also point out that there is no public evidence showing TikTok sharing U.S. user information with Chinese authorities.

ByteDance has stated that it will oppose a forced sale of TikTok and is preparing a lawsuit to block the legislation. The company’s head of public policy for the Americas, Michael Beckerman, wrote in a memo to employees that they will challenge the bill in court.

This is not the first time TikTok has faced legal challenges in the U.S. In the past, federal courts have blocked attempts to ban the platform, citing free speech and due process rights. The Trump administration had previously brokered a deal for U.S. corporations to take a stake in TikTok, but the sale never materialized.

As TikTok content creators voice their concerns about the potential ban, the future of the platform remains uncertain. The company’s top attorney, Erich Andersen, has announced his resignation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s fate.

Despite the challenges ahead, TikTok content creators are making their voices heard, with some gathering in front of the Capitol building to protest the legislation. They believe that TikTok is the safest platform for users and are advocating for its continued operation in the U.S.

The passage of this legislation marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over TikTok’s ownership and future in the United States. The outcome of the legal challenges and the impact on content creators remain to be seen.