President Joe Biden Signs Bill Seeking To Ban TikTok

In a decisive move, President Joe Biden has signed into law a bill aimed at banning the popular social media app, TikTok, within the United States. The legislation, which was earlier passed by the U.S. Congress, requires TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest itself of the app within nine months

Tucked within the sprawling $95 billion national security package, this provision ensures that TikTok will remain active throughout the upcoming 2024 election campaign. With its 170 million American users, TikTok serves as a powerful platform for candidates to engage predominantly younger voters. However, the ban won’t take effect before the election, providing a strategic window for ByteDance to comply with the divestiture requirement.

Here are the key details:

• Timeline: ByteDance has nine months to sell TikTok or face a nationwide prohibition in the U.S.
• Presidential Extension: President Biden can grant a one-time extension of 90 days, extending the timeline to one year, if certain conditions are met.
• Earliest Ban: Without an extension, the earliest a ban could start is January 2025. With the extension, it would be April 2025.
• Legal Challenges: TikTok has threatened legal action, potentially prolonging the process in the courts.

While some experts believe ByteDance will sell TikTok rather than risk a U.S. ban, others remain skeptical. Senator Tim Kaine asserts that TikTok isn’t going away, emphasizing the app’s resilience. The critical difference lies in ownership: an American-owned TikTok would continue to thrive.

In endorsing the revised TikTok bill, Senator Maria Cantwell emphasizes the need for sufficient time for a new buyer to secure a deal. As the countdown begins, the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, impacting millions of users and the broader digital landscape.