US Congress Passes Bill to Ban TikTok Amid Privacy Concerns

The United States Congress has taken significant steps to address privacy concerns related to the popular video-sharing app TikTok. Here’s what you need to know:

Background

TikTok, owned by the China-based company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny over its ownership structure and potential national security risks. Lawmakers have expressed concerns that the app could be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government due to its ties to China. In response to these concerns, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill aimed at addressing these issues.

The Bill

The bill passed by the House of Representatives gives ByteDance two options: either sell TikTok to an approved buyer or face a nationwide ban. The bipartisan support for the legislation underscores the growing worries about the app’s ownership and data privacy. The bill now awaits approval in the Senate, and President Joe Biden has signaled his willingness to sign it into law.

Ban Timeline

While the bill is likely to be approved in the Senate, the actual ban on TikTok could take years to go into effect. Here’s why:

1. Divestment Period: Once the bill is signed into law, ByteDance would have nine months to divest its ownership of TikTok and find an American buyer. The president can extend this deadline by an additional 90 days. Therefore, the earliest TikTok could shut down in the U.S. would be more than a year from now.
2. Legal Challenges: ByteDance has indicated that it will challenge the statute in court. If they sue to block the implementation of the ban, the case would be taken up by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. During judicial review, the ban’s clock would effectively pause. If the D.C. court rules against the ban, either side could request a review by the U.S. Supreme Court, further delaying any potential shutdown. In this scenario, nothing would take effect until 2026.
3. TikTok’s Defense: TikTok is likely to argue that the ban is unconstitutional and that it has taken steps to protect American users’ data. The company has launched an aggressive lobbying campaign, featuring small-business owners and influencers who rely on the platform.

Finding a Buyer

The bill allows TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. if ByteDance sells the app to a U.S.-approved firm. While large U.S. tech companies may be interested, regulators and critics are cautious about expanding the power of such firms.

In summary, while Congress has taken a significant step toward banning TikTok, the actual implementation remains uncertain due to legal challenges and potential delays. Users and stakeholders will closely monitor developments as the fate of the popular app hangs in the balance.