TikTok Ban: New Vote Gets Us One Step Closer

Update: April 23, 2024, 7:11 pm PST: The United States Senate has just passed the “TikTok Ban” previously passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday. The Senate voted 79-18 to force the app to be sold to a US Company or be “banned.” Consequently, the bill now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Below is the original article for more information:

The TikTok ban is getting closer to becoming a reality. House lawmakers approved another bill that targets the app under its current ownership.

The latest bipartisan vote of 360-58 spells bad news for the platform, which serves as an entertainment tool for over 170 million users. The TikTok ban is based on the possibility that the Chinese government could tap information dispersed on the platform. Chinese company Byte Dance owns the platform.

The bill has been attached to a foreign aid package. The package also considers funding for Ukrainian military equipment and Israeli missile defense. Senate lawmakers are pressured to approve or deny the package in a single vote.

What Does the TikTok Ban Mean?

If the TikTok ban passes, the platform will be inaccessible in U.S. app stores unless it finds a new owner within 270 days. However, the platform may be granted a 90-day extension if the President determines an impending sale.

President Joe Biden has confirmed that he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

The Platform Reacts to the TikTok Ban

TikTok has been vocal in opposing the bill. The platform has launched a lobbyist campaign arguing that the ban violates users’ First Amendment rights.

“Unfortunately, the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a bill that would trample the free speech of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy annually,” the platform posted on the social media site X last Wednesday.

TikTok has also implied that it would sue to block the legislature. Legal action would change the focus to highlight human rights concerning access to digital assets.

Will the Tik Tok Ban Pass?

Up until recently, Senate lawmakers were divided on the TikTok ban. However, the bill was updated to increase the platform’s deadline to act. The previous bill proposed a 6-month deadline (approximately 180 days), which has since been extended to 270 days plus a possible additional extension. The longer deadline has made the bill more favorable to certain Senate members.

Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for the bill’s passage based on its foreign aid measures.

Paul Gallant, a political analyst at the Cowen, Inc. market research firm Cowen Inc, estimates the bill will pass with 80% approval. “We believe TikTok is unlikely to get stripped from the larger package,” he says.

He predicts the bill will be approved within one to two weeks, possibly sooner.

Users React to TikTok Ban

The TikTok ban has many users up in arms. A Washington Post article reveals the following opinions.

“TikTok users are not as stupid as lawmakers seem to think we rare. I struggle to understand what they are trying to protect us from. Banning something just because it is owned by a company from a different country? I thought we were better than this.” Alyssa Knight

“I work in tech and I believe TikTok’s foreign ownership is what allows it to be more innovative since U.S. companies tend to be filled with boring groupthink and dictums from management.” – Mark Jacobs.