TikTok, the dominant player in the world of short-form video content, has amassed a staggering user base of 170 million in the United States alone.
However, the future of TikTok in the U.S. has been thrown into uncertainty with the recent enactment of a new law by President Joe Biden.
Under this law, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is required to divest its ownership stake in the app within one year or face a potential ban. This move represents a significant step taken by the U.S. government in its ongoing technology dispute with China.
While the law poses potential implications for TikTok, immediate disruptions to its operations are unlikely. Legal complexities and logistical challenges associated with the sale of the app are expected to cause delays in any immediate effects. It’s worth noting that the law was incorporated into a broader bill that also includes provisions for foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
ByteDance, a prominent Chinese tech giant, acquired the popular karaoke app Musical.ly in 2017 and subsequently rebranded it as TikTok. Since then, the app has faced scrutiny from U.S. national security officials due to concerns about potential influence from the Chinese government.
Nevertheless, TikTok has established itself as a formidable force in the realm of short-form video, attracting a massive user base of 170 million in the United States alone. It has also emerged as a primary source of news for one-third of the country’s young population, as per the Pew Research Center.
In response to concerns about foreign influence, Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, emphasized that the intention behind the law is not to punish ByteDance, TikTok, or any specific company. Rather, it aims to safeguard against potential espionage, surveillance, and malicious activities by foreign adversaries that could harm vulnerable Americans, servicemen and women, and U.S. government personnel.
Following the signing of the bill, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew took to video message to reassure users, expressing confidence in overcoming the legal challenges ahead. He advised users not to anticipate any disruptions to the app’s services, instilling a sense of assurance amidst the uncertain landscape.
