The United States has initiated a countdown against TikTok, with a new law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the popular app, to sell it within nine months. President Joe Biden has the authority to grant a three-month extension if sufficient progress towards divestment is made. The focus of the law is on ByteDance selling the app rather than prohibiting its use.
TikTok has raised concerns among legislators about its addictive behavior and Chinese ownership. Critics fear that the Chinese government could gain access to American user data, but TikTok has implemented measures to address these concerns and denies providing US data to the Chinese government. Instead, TikTok argues that a ban would violate freedom of expression.
The provision to sell TikTok was unexpectedly included in a bill that also provided aid funds for Ukraine. The extension granted to ByteDance aims at making the measure more acceptable to opponents. However, ByteDance’s decision whether or not to sell the app and whether or not China will allow it remains uncertain.
In response, TikTok plans to challenge the constitutionality of the law in court, emphasizing its importance to American users and the economy. The outcome of this legal battle and TikTok’s future ownership in America remain uncertain, with potential political and economic implications for both countries.
