The Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would require TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular social media platform or face a ban in the U.S. The move, part of a larger $95 billion foreign aid package, has sparked controversy and legal challenges.
The bill, passed by a vote of 79-18, gives ByteDance nine months to divest its stakes in TikTok, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. It also prohibits the company from controlling TikTok’s algorithm, which has been a key factor in the app’s success.
Lawmakers have long expressed concerns over Chinese threats and the ownership of TikTok, which is used by 170 million Americans. The fear is that Chinese authorities could access U.S. user data or influence content on the platform.
Opponents of the bill argue that banning TikTok is an extreme measure and that a comprehensive federal data privacy law would be a better solution. They also point out that there is no public evidence showing TikTok sharing U.S. user information with Chinese authorities.
ByteDance has stated that it will challenge the legislation in court, as it has done successfully in the past. The company has also been in talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States about its future.
Meanwhile, TikTok content creators, who rely on the platform for income, have been vocal in their opposition to the bill. Some creators gathered in front of the Capitol building to protest, emphasizing the importance of TikTok in their lives.
The future of TikTok remains uncertain as legal challenges and negotiations continue between ByteDance and the U.S. government.