As of Wednesday, the clock is ticking in the United States for TikTok, a popular social media app owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. A new law requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the country. The law gives ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok, with a possible extension of three months at the discretion of President Joe Biden.
The White House has emphasized that the focus is on divesting TikTok in a manner consistent with national security concerns. Legislators 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, these claims have not been enough to satisfy critics and legislators who want to ensure that American data is not compromised. 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. This move could also lead to legal challenges from other countries that are concerned about Chinese ownership of popular apps like WeChat and Douyin (known as TikTok outside China).
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. If ByteDance decides not to sell TikTok, it could lead to a complete ban on the app in the United States. On the other hand, if they decide to sell it, it could pave the way for other foreign companies to enter into partnerships with ByteDance and acquire more control over their operations outside China.
In conclusion, while TikTok continues to innovate and ensure that Americans can continue enjoying their platform for self-expression and inspiration, uncertainty remains around its future in America due to national security concerns and fears about data privacy
