The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that gives ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, nine months to divest the U.S. assets of the popular short-video app. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok could face a nationwide ban. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a process that could potentially lead to the forced sale of TikTok.
Once the bill is signed into law, ByteDance must sell TikTok within a 270-day period, with the possibility of an additional 90 days if necessary. TikTok is expected to challenge the law in court, seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent its enforcement. The legal battle could prolong the divestment process, potentially allowing TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. until the dispute is resolved.
Despite the potential legal hurdles, TikTok users in the U.S. are unlikely to see any immediate changes to the app. The Chinese government, which has strict regulations on the export of certain technologies, may also play a role in the outcome of this situation. Overall, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain as legal, political, and international factors come into play.
