US sets clock ticking for TikTok — RT World News
President Biden signed a bill forcing the platform's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership or face a ban
US President Joe Biden has signed a new law that could lead to TikTok being banned in the country. This legislation is part of a draft law that includes military aid worth more than $95 billion to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Under the new TikTok law, ByteDance – the platform's Chinese owner – will have nine months to sell its business or be banned from US app stores. The bill would also prevent TikTok's algorithm from being controlled.
The US House of Representatives approved the bill on Saturday and the Senate on Tuesday.
The legislation comes after a number of US officials expressed concerns that the app poses a national security risk and could be used by Chinese authorities to obtain the private data of US citizens or influence their opinions by suppressing or promoting certain content on TikTok.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell confirmed this “Congress is not moving to sanction ByteDance, TikTok, or any other individual company.”; She is moving to “Prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, and malicious operations, and harming vulnerable Americans, our servicemen and women, and U.S. government employees.”
TikTok has threatened to legally sue the US government over the law. The company's head of public policy for the Americas, Michael Beckerman, called the bill a violation of the First Amendment rights of the app's 170 million US users, and warned that a potential ban would also have a negative impact on users' rights. “Serious consequences” Nearly seven million companies use the platform.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew posted a response to the new law, addressing the platform's users. “Make no mistake, this is a ban. A ban on TikTok, a ban on you, and a ban on your voice… Rest assured, we are not going anywhere. We are confident that we will continue to fight for your rights in the courts. The facts and the Constitution are on our side, and we expect that “You shall prevail.”
China also criticized plans to ban TikTok in the United States, describing such a move as… “Violating the principles of fair competition and international economic and trade rules.” And accusations against Washington “bullying behavior” And “Taking advantage of state power” Against ByteDance.
Some US lawmakers also opposed the bill, calling it a “mistake.” “medicine” that it 'Worse than the disease' Raising concerns that this would give the White House the power to block other websites and apps.
Elon Musk has also warned that the bill is “On Government Surveillance and Control” While the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) condemned this legislation as… “Violating the free speech rights of millions of Americans.” Who use the platform daily.
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