• The House of Representatives passed a bill that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the US if its Chinese owner, ByteDance, does not sell its stake. [news.sky.com, bloomberg.com, theguardian.com, npr.org]
  • The legislation to force ByteDance to divest its ownership stake has been included in a US foreign policy package, likely to also involve foreign aid funding for Ukraine and Israel, as well as security assistance for Taiwan and allies in the Indo-Pacific. [news.sky.com, bloomberg.com, theguardian.com, npr.org]
  • The legislation was fast-tracked and is expected to be passed by the US Senate on Tuesday, with President Joe Biden planning to sign it once it reaches his desk. [news.sky.com, bloomberg.com, theguardian.com, npr.org]
  • Concerns were raised about TikTok collecting data on over 170 million Americans and the potential for Chinese government propaganda dissemination. [bloomberg.com, theguardian.com, npr.org]
  • TikTok’s CEO has urged US users to campaign against the bill, and the FBI has warned that TikTok’s owner could share user data with China’s government, though TikTok denies doing so. [news.sky.com]
  • In 2022, President Biden banned the use of TikTok by the federal government’s employees, with exceptions for law enforcement, national security, and security research purposes. [news.sky.com]

What is conservative media saying?

  • The bill received bipartisan support due to concerns over Chinese influence and data-sharing obligations with the Chinese government. [nypost.com, oann.com]
  • The legislation includes a revised TikTok clampdown, extending the deadline for ByteDance to divest from the platform to up to a year, and sanctions against Iran, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Iranian government. [washingtonexaminer.com, nypost.com, oann.com]
  • If the bill is signed by President Biden, TikTok’s management is considering a legal challenge, fearing a forced sale rather than an outright ban. [nypost.com, oann.com]

What is liberal media saying?

  • TikTok has denied sharing US user data with the Chinese government and criticized the bill, citing potential negative impacts on free speech rights. The bill’s high value and ByteDance’s ownership of the algorithm complicate any potential sale. [theguardian.com, npr.org]
  • The bill would negatively impact 170 million Americans, 7 million businesses, and a platform contributing $24 billion to the U.S. economy annually. The Senate has updated the TikTok bill to address constitutional concerns, and the updated bill includes an extension in the sale time for ByteDance. [huffpost.com, politico.com]
  • Sen. Rand Paul may oppose the TikTok bill and filibuster.
  • TikTok may challenge the bill in courts if it is passed, but legal experts doubt TikTok’s chances of success in challenging the bill. [politico.com]
  • The sale of TikTok could face challenges due to valuation and antitrust issues. [politico.com]

Sources:

  • New York Post
  • One America News Network
  • Washington Examiner
  • Sky News
  • Bloomberg
  • The Guardian
  • NPR
  • HuffPost
  • Politico