Congress Moves Towards Banning TikTok Over National Security Concerns
TikTok’s Suspected National Security Threat
Lawmakers in the United States have passed a bill suggesting TikTok’s possible threat to national security. With a virtually unanimous agreement, Congress approved the bill that could potentially result in the app being banned should its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, fail to find a buyer.
Biden Signs the Bill
The legislative action, signed into law by President Joe Biden on April 24th, gives ByteDance roughly nine months, along with a three-month grace period, to secure a deal for TikTok. The US administration has harbored apprehensions concerning the app’s Chinese origins since Trump’s tenure, due to the potential national security risks this may pose.
Security professionals and legislators are concerned that ByteDance could serve as a vehicle for the Chinese government to either create room for propaganda or access private information of TikTok’s 170 million American users. Despite these anxieties, others believe implementing such a ban could take an extended period of time.
The Battle to Ban TikTok Isn’t Over Yet
Much of the reaction to the news assumes the ban will be immediate; however, the legislation could take months or even years to effectively remove TikTok. Even with this new law, TikTok could continue operating if it is sold within the allotted time frame. However, the law is likely to meet resistance, from legal challenges domestically to possible interventions from Beijing.
TikTok’s Response to Potential Ban
In a fierce response to the aforementioned bill, TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew declared in a video, “We aren’t set to disappear. We feel confident and will keep advocating for your rights in court.”
DPH Hot Take
While this ban signifies a serious undertaking by the US Government to protect national security, we believe it’s a significantly complex issue that may take a substantial amount of time to unravel. It’s important to consider all facets and accounts – from ByteDance and the US users, to the national security framework. The future of pop culture is on the line, and the world is watching how this new law will reshape it.