President Biden has signed a bill into law that requires TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or face a ban in the United States. Despite this, sources have confirmed that the Biden-Harris campaign intends to continue using TikTok.
The legislation, part of a foreign aid package totaling $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, gives ByteDance nine months to divest from TikTok, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. The bill also prohibits ByteDance from controlling the platform's algorithm that curates user content.
Congress has long expressed bipartisan concerns over Chinese influence through TikTok, citing national security risks and data collection. Lawmakers fear that Chinese officials could exploit TikTok to manipulate American users and access sensitive data.
ByteDance has vowed to challenge the legislation in court, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and would harm millions of American businesses and users. The company asserts that it has invested heavily in data security and independence from external influence.
TikTok's head of public policy for the Americas, Michael Beckerman, stated that legal action would be pursued to contest the ban. The platform, with over 170 million American users, maintains that it provides a safe space for individuals to share experiences and find inspiration.
While TikTok plans to challenge the law in court, it faces an uphill battle against federal legislation. The company's stance is that the ban would stifle creativity and harm millions of users who rely on the platform for entertainment and connection.
As the legal battle unfolds, TikTok remains committed to defending its operations in the United States and ensuring a secure environment for its vast user base.
