The US Senate approved the bill that paves the way for the ban of TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, if it is not transferred.
The Senate accepted the bill, which was put to vote on a $95 billion military aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with 78 votes to 18.
US House of Representatives, ‘poses a national security threat’ The Act to Protect Americans from Applications Controlled by Foreign Enemies was passed by majority vote on March 13 and sent to the US Senate for approval.
US President Joe Biden announced that he would sign the law and put it into effect if the Senate approves it.
If the bill becomes law, the Chinese main partner ByteDance will have to transfer the platform. If the company is not transferred, TikTok is planned to be removed from US app stores for five months or completely.
Supporters of the bill argue that ByteDance forwarded information about American citizens obtained through TikTok to the Chinese administration.
Members of congress who oppose the bill say that the claim that TikTok collects data and transmits it to China needs proof and that the application should be banned. ‘restriction of freedom of expression’ He says it could mean. TikTok, like other social media platforms, argues that it operates entirely in accordance with American laws.
If the bill becomes law, TikTok’s parent ByteDance will face pressure from conflicting demands from Washington and Beijing regarding the transfer of the company.
Former US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said that an investor group would be established to purchase TikTok, the transfer of which will be on the agenda after the bill becomes law. Mnuchin argued that users love the application and it should not be closed. “This should belong to US businesses. “There is no way the Chinese would allow a US company to have something like this in China.” he said.
It remains unclear whether the Chinese government will allow TikTok to be sold to a US buyer. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew implied that selling was not an option.
