May 4, 2024 10:20 am
5 questions regarding the US’s efforts to compel the sale or ban of TikTok in accordance with the law

In a move to protect the security of user data and sever ties with the Beijing government, the United States Senate has passed a bill that could lead to the expulsion of TikTok from the country. This decision comes amidst growing concerns about the platform’s extensive data gathering practices and its links to the Chinese government.

The legislation requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to be dissolved, and President Joe Biden has pledged to sanction the law. Lawmakers from both major parties in the US have pushed for this bill, fearing that the Chinese government could access data on the 170 million TikTok users in the US. TikTok has denied providing foreign user data to the Chinese government.

If implemented, access to TikTok for Americans could be revoked, potentially taking effect in 2025. TikTok has filed a lawsuit to block the forced sale, which could lead to a long legal process. The legislation gives ByteDance 9 months to sell TikTok to a US buyer, with a possible grace period of three months.

The algorithm is at the heart of TikTok’s appeal, delivering personalized content to users. Despite efforts by TikTok to engage with its users and push back against the legislation, it remains uncertain whether it will be allowed to continue operating in the US. The repercussions of this decision could extend beyond the US and inspire similar measures in other countries. Overall, it seems that TikTok’s future in America is uncertain as legal battles unfold.

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