The House Votes on Potential TikTok Ban Again
The House of Representatives has once again voted on legislation that could result in a nationwide ban of TikTok, posing a significant threat to the company’s operations in the United States. This renewed effort has raised questions about the future of the popular social media platform and how it may impact its users.
Recap: Previous House Vote and Current Differences
Earlier this year, in March, the House approved a bill that required TikTok to sell its US operations within six months. Failure to comply would result in the app being banned from US app stores and internet hosting services that support it. The recent bill, however, extends this deadline to approximately nine months. Additionally, President Joe Biden has the authority to grant a 90-day extension if progress is made towards a sale. The bill has also been included in a larger foreign aid package, making it more challenging for lawmakers to oppose.
Senate’s Role and Potential Impact on Users
While there is a possibility that senators may attempt to remove the TikTok legislation from the foreign aid package, analysts believe this is unlikely due to the urgency of passing the aid package. If the Senate approves the bill, it will then be sent to President Biden for his endorsement. Given his previous support for similar measures, it is likely that he will sign the foreign aid package containing provisions targeting TikTok.
If the bill becomes law, TikTok will have 270 days to find a buyer and separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Failure to do so may result in users being cut off from the platform. However, it is important to note that the outcome is still uncertain, and there are several variables that could affect the final decision.
