TikTok Ban Bill Passes Senate, Moves Closer to Becoming Law
House Legislation Would Require ByteDance Sale or App Closure
Senate Approval Tied to Foreign Aid Package; Biden Backs Measure
April 23, 2024 - The Senate has passed a bill that would force the sale of TikTok, the popular social media app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, or ban it outright within the United States.
The House of Representatives had previously passed a similar bill on Wednesday, requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. The Senate approval of the legislation was tied to a $95 billion package of foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
President Biden has expressed support for the effort to prohibit the use of TikTok on federal government devices and in educational institutions. The passage of the bill in the Senate brings the potential ban or forced sale of TikTok one step closer to becoming law.
The bill would prohibit federal funds from being provided to any institution of higher education that fails to ban the use of TikTok on its campus. This provision aims to address concerns about the potential security risks posed by the app's data collection practices.
The fate of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, as the legislation must still be reconciled between the House and Senate versions. However, the passage of the bill in both chambers sends a clear message that lawmakers are determined to take action against the Chinese-owned social media platform.
Comments