Joe Biden officially signed bill that will ban TikTok by 2025 if TikTok is not sold to an American company
United States of America - In a move that could reshape the digital landscape and political discourse, President Joe Biden has signed a bill aiming to potentially ban the popular social media app TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it to a US-owned entity. This decision, was made with concerns over national security and data privacy, comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and China, where ByteDance is headquartered.
ByteDance, founded by Zhang Yiming, Liang Rubo, and a team of others in 2012, rose to prominence with its development of TikTok and Douyin, audiences worldwide with its addictive short-form videos. However, its rapid expansion has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators, particularly over issues of security, surveillance, and censorship.
With over 170 million American users, TikTok has become a great platform for social engagement and political discourse, especially among younger demographics. Its potential ban, though not imminent until after the 2024 election, raises questions about the intersection of technology, national security, and free speech.
CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew stated in a TikTok Wednesday morning “make no mistake this is a ban, and a ban on you and your voice” highly suggesting that ByteDance will sadly not be selling to a US entity.
One TikTok user stated on TikTok "The fact that TikTok is fighting for American rights more than our government is TELLING." This sentiment underscores the broader societal concerns surrounding the regulation of social media platforms and the balance between security imperatives and individual liberties.
However, Congress argues, that it is necessary to safeguard national interests and prevent potential exploitation of user data by foreign entities. They point to past incidents where Chinese tech companies have been accused of mishandling sensitive information, raising legitimate concerns about data privacy and security.