The popular video-sharing app TikTok could be on its way out of the US after the Senate passed a bill that would force its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform. This move comes amid growing concerns about user data security and potential ties to the Chinese government.
Lawmakers from both Democrats and Republicans have voiced worries that ByteDance could be compelled to hand over user data on TikTok’s 170 million American users to Beijing. TikTok vehemently denies these accusations, insisting user data is secure.
While President Biden has expressed his intention to sign the bill into law, a potential ban wouldn’t happen overnight. ByteDance would have nine months to find a US buyer for TikTok, with a possible three-month extension. This timeline could be further stretched due to legal challenges, potentially reaching the Supreme Court, which could delay the ban for years.
The proposed ban has drawn criticism from various sides. TikTok argues it violates free speech principles and could harm American jobs. Some users, particularly creators who rely on the platform, also oppose the ban. However, the campaign to flood Congress with calls against the bill may have backfired, according to some politicians. They say it amplified concerns about the app.
The potential US ban on TikTok wouldn’t be an isolated incident. India, a previous major market for the app, banned it in 2020. Other countries, like Iran and Nepal, have also implemented restrictions. The UK and European Union have barred the app from government devices due to security fears.
The crux of the controversy lies in TikTok’s algorithm, which tailors content based on user data. Critics claim TikTok gathers more user data than other platforms, including location, device information, and even typing rhythms. However, similar data collection practices are prevalent across other social media giants like Facebook and Instagram.