US Lawmakers Approve TikTok Ban Within 12-Month Deadline

The House of Representatives passed legislation targeting TikTok’s US ban unless its Chinese owner sells within a year.

House Republicans fast-tracked TikTok’s inclusion in a foreign aid package, expediting the ban process.

Initially, a standalone bill with a six-month deadline gained bipartisan support in March.

The revised measure, now headed to the Senate, reflects compromises reached through negotiations.

TikTok lobbied hard against the legislation (Michael Dwyer/AP)

ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, could challenge the law in court, potentially delaying its enforcement.

Legal battles might extend the ban’s timeline or prevent its implementation entirely.

TikTok fiercely lobbied against the legislation, urging its 170 million US users to oppose it.

Despite TikTok’s lobbying efforts, lawmakers remained steadfast in their concerns about Chinese influence.

CEO Shou Zi Chew vowed to continue advocating for TikTok’s community despite legislative challenges.

Congress’s swift action targeting TikTok contrasts its historical hands-off approach to tech regulation.

The TikTok ban underscores broader bipartisan concerns about Chinese influence in the US.

Lawmakers fear Chinese access to American user data and potential content manipulation on TikTok.

Despite TikTok’s denials, lawmakers remain cautious, lacking public evidence linking the platform to Chinese interference.

TikTok’s past legal victories, including blocking state and federal bans, bolster its confidence in challenging the proposed legislation.

These legal successes suggest TikTok may have a strong case against the ban.

The path forward for TikTok remains uncertain as it faces legal and legislative hurdles in the US.