US passes bill for possible TikTok ban. The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Saturday that aims to compel ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to either divest the popular social media app or potentially face a nationwide ban within a specified timeframe.
Under the provisions of the bill, ByteDance is required to sell TikTok within nine months, with the possibility of a deadline extension to a year at the discretion of the president.
Failure to comply could result in TikTok being prohibited from operating in the United States.
Growing Support and Implications:
The bill has garnered strong backing from President Biden and the Senate, indicating a high likelihood of implementation.
This legislative action represents an escalation in the ongoing scrutiny and efforts to address national security concerns related to foreign-owned tech platforms, particularly those with ties to China.
Further Legislative Agenda:
In addition to the TikTok-focused bill, the House is scheduled to vote on three separate proposals later in the day.
These initiatives seek to authorize increased security assistance to key regions such as the Indo-Pacific, Israel, and Ukraine.
The legislative momentum follows a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, with more Democrats (165) than Republicans (151) supporting the advancement of these security measures.
Path Forward and Presidential Support:
As US passes bill for possible TikTok ban in US, it is anticipated that the foreign aid legislations will pass in the coming days and proceed to the Senate for approval.
Also read: Why is TikTok removing millions of songs by Taylor Swift?
Collectively, these measures constitute a substantial $95 billion relief plan, championed by President Biden but subject to modifications compared to the Senate’s earlier version approved two months ago.
