In the United States, TikTok is facing a potential ban as a new law requires ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the app, to sell it or face sanctions. The law, which took effect on Wednesday, gives ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok, with the possibility of a three-month extension at President Joe Biden’s discretion.
The White House has emphasized that the focus is on divesting TikTok in a manner consistent with national security concerns. Lawmakers are concerned about the addictive behavior caused by the app, especially among adolescents, as well as its Chinese ownership. Critics fear that the Chinese government could access data of American users.
TikTok has argued that it has introduced safety controls and denies providing US data to China. However, critics have accused the company of not being transparent about its data practices and have raised concerns about its ties to the Chinese government. The law seemed unlikely until recently but was included in a bill to secure aid for Ukraine after intense political negotiations in Congress.
ByteDance may challenge the law in court, prolonging the process for months or even years. The future of TikTok remains uncertain as questions arise about ByteDance’s willingness to sell the app, the Chinese government’s approval, and potential legal challenges. TikTok has vowed to continue to innovate and ensure that Americans can continue enjoying the platform for self-expression and inspiration.