• US Senate approves bill to ban TikTok if ByteDance doesn’t divest.
• Biden expected to sign the bill into law amid concerns about Chinese data access.
• TikTok vows legal challenge; debate raises broader concerns over tech and national security.

The U.S. Senate has made a significant decision regarding TikTok, the popular short video app.

In a strong majority vote, senators agreed on a bill that could ban TikTok in the United States if its Chinese owner, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app within the next nine to twelve months.

This move comes amidst concerns among U.S. lawmakers about potential data access by China and surveillance through the app.

The bill, which was also approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier, is anticipated to be signed into law by President Joe Biden very soon.

Senator Marco Rubio, a leading Republican on the Intelligence Committee, expressed his support for the decision, highlighting the importance of safeguarding American interests.

He emphasized the necessity of ensuring that a popular app like TikTok isn’t under the control of the Chinese Communist Party.

In response to the Senate’s vote, the Chinese foreign ministry referred to their previous objections when a similar bill passed in the House of Representatives.

They criticized the U.S.’s continuous pursuit of TikTok without substantial evidence of national security threats.

The debate over TikTok reflects broader tensions between the U.S. and China in technology and the internet.

This move by the U.S. Senate follows recent actions taken by China, such as instructing Apple to remove certain apps from its App Store over national security concerns.

TikTok has stated its intention to challenge the bill on First Amendment grounds, with users expected to pursue legal action as well.

The American Civil Liberties Union raised concerns about government overreach in regulating social media platforms, emphasizing the potential global repercussions.

TikTok maintains that it has not shared, nor would it share, user data with the Chinese government. However, it plans to contest the legislation in court promptly.

The bill received overwhelming support in the Senate, indicating broad bipartisan consensus on the issue. Its inclusion in a larger foreign aid package underscores its significance in U.S. policy.

Experts suggest that this legislation could provide the Biden administration with a stronger legal basis to enforce a TikTok ban if ByteDance fails to divest the app.

The bill also grants the White House expanded authority to address other foreign-owned apps deemed security threats.

However, concerns have been raised about potential abuses of power and violations of First Amendment rights.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden cautioned against giving too much authority to future administrations, highlighting the importance of protecting Americans’ freedom of expression.

Once signed into law, ByteDance will have a limited time frame to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, with the possibility of an extension if progress is made toward a deal.

However, some senators question the feasibility of such a divestiture within the stipulated timeline, suggesting that it could effectively result in a TikTok ban.

This decision is expected to have implications beyond national borders and could become a focal point in the upcoming presidential campaign.

Former President Donald Trump has already weighed in, urging young voters to consider the potential ban on TikTok.