Congress Moves to Ban or Force Sale of TikTok
Bill Would Prohibit Chinese Ownership of Video-Sharing Platform
Updated April 23, 2024 at 9:44 PM EDT
In a historic move, Congress has passed legislation that would ban or force the sale of TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance. The bill, which was approved by the Senate late Tuesday, has been met with mixed reactions.
Supporters of the bill argue that TikTok poses a national security risk to the United States due to its Chinese ownership. They claim that the app could be used by the Chinese government to collect sensitive data on American users or spread propaganda.
Opponents of the bill, however, maintain that it is an overreach of government power and could harm freedom of speech. They argue that TikTok is a valuable platform for creative expression and that banning it would deprive Americans of access to important information and entertainment.
The passage of the TikTok ban bill was tied to a $95 billion package of foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration, where it is expected to face opposition from some Democrats and Republicans alike.
The future of TikTok in the United States is now uncertain. If the bill is passed by the House and signed into law by President Biden, TikTok will either be forced to sell its American operations or face an outright ban.
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