What’s Happening with the TikTok Ban?

The TikTok ban seems to be caught up in a bureaucratic process at the moment. There is a bill that was presented to the House Energy and Commerce Committee last month, which aims to force TikTok into U.S. ownership or face a ban due to national security concerns. The bill has been passed by the committee and the House of Representatives, setting the stage for a vote by the U.S. Senate. However, the timeline for this step is unclear as the Senate has just resumed after its Easter recess.

There have been discussions about the specifics of the sell-off push, including how long TikTok owner ByteDance would have to sell the platform if the bill is approved. Initially, ByteDance was given six months to organize the sale to a U.S. company before any action was taken. Now, there is talk of extending this timeline to a year to alleviate concerns about business restrictions. This means that TikTok could potentially remain available in the U.S. for a longer period before its fate is decided.

If the bill is approved, it could result in an eventual ban of TikTok in essence. Chinese authorities have expressed opposition to the proposal, stating that they will not allow the sale of the app. This would mean that TikTok cannot be shifted into U.S. ownership, potentially leading to U.S. users losing access to the platform. The final action is expected to be a lengthy process, with the Senate needing to approve the bill and U.S. President Joe Biden required to sign off on it before it is enacted.

The timeline for the next steps in the TikTok ban remains unclear. It is possible that the process could extend beyond the upcoming election. With conflicting views on the sell-off proposal, the outcome of the vote is uncertain. Republican nominee Donald Trump has expressed opposition to the sell-off, which could impact the final decision on the fate of TikTok. Ultimately, it is uncertain how long TikTok will remain available in the U.S., but it is expected to be around for some time yet.