Revised Bill to Ban TikTok or Require Sale Passed by U.S. House

The U.S. House of Representatives made a significant move this afternoon by passing a bill that would require TikTok-owner ByteDance to sell the popular social media app or face a ban in the United States. This decision comes after ongoing efforts to address national security concerns related to the app’s ties to the Chinese government.

The new bill, which passed with a vote of 360-58, extends the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok to nine months, with the possibility of a 90-day extension granted by the president. This change seems to have garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats in the House, as part of a larger package that includes foreign aid to countries like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

Senate Commerce chair Maria Cantwell expressed optimism about the bill, stating that the extension increases the likelihood of ByteDance divesting from TikTok. President Joe Biden has indicated his support for the bill and plans to sign it if it reaches his desk.

However, TikTok has pushed back against the bill, arguing that it infringes on the free speech rights of millions of Americans and would have detrimental effects on businesses and users of the platform. Civil liberties groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union have also opposed previous attempts to ban the app.

As the bill moves to the Senate for consideration, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. If the bill is passed and signed into law, TikTok is expected to challenge it in court, setting the stage for a potential legal battle over the popular social media app.