The US Senate has passed legislation requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance to sell the social media platform or face a ban, Associated Press reports.
The bill, included as part of a $95 billion package for foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, passed with a vote of 79-18 and is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature. The bill extends the deadline for ByteDance to divest from TikTok to nine months, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. The legislation also prohibits ByteDance from controlling TikTok’s algorithm.
US Lawmakers have long expressed concern that Chinese authorities could access US user data or manipulate content on TikTok. By forcing ByteDance to divest from TikTok, policymakers aim to mitigate these risks and protect national security interests.
However, opponents argue it could infringe on free speech and lacks evidence of TikTok sharing user data with Chinese authorities. Content creators, who rely on TikTok for income, have voiced opposition to the bill. TikTok plans to challenge the legislation in court.
