TikTok Ban: Congress Approves Legislation, Paving the Way for Potential Prohibition
TikTok ban The legislation completed by Congress on Tuesday poses a significant challenge to TikTok's operations in the US, potentially leading to a nationwide ban of the popular app.
The Senate passed the bill as part of a comprehensive foreign aid package aimed at supporting Israel and Ukraine. Following approval from the House on Saturday, the bill now awaits President Joe Biden's signature.
If endorsed, as expected, TikTok will be required to find a new owner within months or risk being banned entirely from the United States.
TikTok ban in US moves a step closer after Senate passes bill to force parent company to sell platform https://t.co/iQgzMY6ldw
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 24, 2024
Source: Twitter/Sky News
What the TikTok Legislation Entails
The bill approved this week is an updated version of one passed by House lawmakers in March.
It provides TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, with a 270-day window to sell TikTok. Failure to comply would result in severe penalties, including removal from US app stores and web hosting services.
Effectively, this move would block new downloads of the app and user interaction with its content.
If signed into law this week, the sale deadline would be set for January 2025. However, President Biden could extend the deadline by an additional 90 days if there is progress toward a sale, potentially granting TikTok up to a year before facing a ban.
Inclusion in a Foreign Aid Package
The initial TikTok bill encountered obstacles in the Senate after passing through the House. To expedite the process, House Republicans strategically appended the updated TikTok bill to the foreign aid package, aiming to compel Senate action on the legislation.
By merging the bill with a top US priority such as foreign aid, the legislative process was hastened, increasing the likelihood of the TikTok bill's approval.
Prospects of Presidential Approval
Given its inclusion in the foreign aid package, which President Biden has publicly supported, it is anticipated that he will swiftly sign the bill into law.
Furthermore, Biden has previously voiced support for earlier iterations of TikTok legislation, suggesting little opposition to the updated version.
Impact on User Experience
Once signed into law, the bill initiates a 270-day countdown for TikTok to secure a buyer. Failure to do so could potentially lead to the app's discontinuation by January.
However, the outcome remains uncertain for now, allowing TikTok enthusiasts to continue using the app as usual.
Nevertheless, users may notice an increase in opposition to the legislation from creators and the company itself within the app.
TikTok’s Response and Legal Options
TikTok has pledged to challenge the bill in court if President Biden enacts it. In a memo to employees, a senior TikTok executive emphasized that such action would mark the beginning of a protracted effort to contest what the company views as unconstitutional legislation impeding Americans' freedom of speech and harming small businesses dependent on the platform.
Back in March, TikTok CEO Shou Chew reaffirmed the company's commitment to resistance, vowing to utilize all available legal avenues.
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