President Joe Biden has put pen to paper on legislation that could see the popular social media app TikTok banned in the US unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests within a year. This move introduces a ticking clock above TikTok, pressuring a sale in a bid to sever its ties with Chinese ownership.
ByteDance has vocally expressed intentions to contest the ban, decrying the legislation as unconstitutional. “This law is nothing short of a TikTok ban, and we will challenge it in court. Implementing it would silence 170 million Americans and obliterate seven million US businesses,” ByteDance announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
For now, daily TikTok users and account holders will notice no immediate change. The platform continues to be a lucrative stage for tens of thousands in the US, who earn through brand partnerships, business promotions, or content monetization, amidst looming legal battles.