 |
| getty images |
NEWSLINE PAPER,- With the House recently passing legislation that includes provisions to ban the app until its parent company, ByteDance, divests from the popular social media platform, the ongoing debate about the future of TikTok has taken a significant turn.
What's Included in the House Bill?
First introduced in March, the legislation threatened to have ByteDance banned from the US if company did not sell TikTok in six months. Questions on the feasibility of such a schedule sparked discussions between the House and the Senate. Under the new legislation, the divestment time has been increased to nine months, plus a further three months if a deal is still pending. The bill also prohibits ByteDance from keeping control of the algorithm that powers TikTok, which is necessary for the platform to function.
Why the Concern About TikTok?
Law enforcement, legislators, and intelligence officials have been voicing worries about TikTok's ties to the Chinese government for some time now. Fears are that ByteDance will be compelled to disclose data on the millions of Americans who use the service and adhere to Chinese national security regulations. Though TikTok has denied accusations of data sharing and Chinese government intervention, concerns about the potential for excessive influence on content distribution and moderation remain.
What's Next in the Legislative Process?
The aid plan is still contested, especially by hard-right conservatives who are against helping Ukraine. All the same, it is anticipated that adding the TikTok clause to the aid package will speed its Senate approval. Should the bill come across his desk, President Joe Biden has expressed his readiness to sign it into law. TikTok's prior attempts to oppose prohibitions at the federal and state levels, however, suggest that legal challenges are to come.
TikTok's Response and Potential Buyers
TikTok has started an opposition to the bill campaign in reaction to the legislative developments, highlighting its dedication to data security and its benefits for small companies and content producers. The corporation has also expressed worries on how a ban would affect millions of customers and the US economy. Significant obstacles still stand even if names like Kevin O'Leary and Steven Mnuchin have been floated as possible bidders for TikTok's U.S. business. Every possible buyer would have to negotiate regulatory scrutiny and maybe rebuild parts of the app's infrastructure, including its algorithm.
Finally, the regulation aimed at TikTok is a reflection of the continuous worries about national security and data privacy. Stakeholders will keenly watch how the law affects the app and its millions of users as it proceeds through the legislative process.
(Newsline paper Teams)