TikTok Ban Bill Passes House, White House Given 90 Days to Act
Bill Aims to Divest TikTok from Chinese Parent Company
Deadline Extended for Additional 90 Days
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives has passed a bill that could potentially ban TikTok in the United States unless it cuts ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The bill, which passed with widespread support on April 23, 2024, now heads to the Senate for consideration.
The bill specifically states that if ByteDance does not fully divest its ownership of TikTok within a certain timeframe, the ban would go into effect. The initial deadline for ByteDance to comply is 90 days after the bill becomes law. However, the president has the authority to extend this deadline by an additional 90 days.
The White House has previously expressed concerns about TikTok's potential security risks, given its ownership by a Chinese company. In February 2023, the White House directed federal agencies to remove TikTok from government devices.
The TikTok ban bill has received mixed reactions. Some lawmakers argue that TikTok poses a national security threat and should be banned. Others believe that the bill is an overreach and could stifle free speech.
TikTok has denied any allegations of wrongdoing or security concerns. The company has stated that it operates independently of the Chinese government and that user data is stored in the United States.
The Senate is expected to take up the bill in the coming weeks. If the Senate passes the bill, it will then go to President Biden for his signature. President Biden has not yet indicated whether he would support such a ban.
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