2 months ago
TikTok measure heads to Senate
Washington — Americans could suffer entree to TikTok wrong months if a bill that seeks to unit its Beijing-based genitor institution ByteDance to waste its liking is signed into law. But nan celebrated video-sharing app's perchance swift demise depends connected whether nan measure tin flooded a number of hurdles.
Lawmakers person agelong tried to modulate nan level because of its ties to China. They reason it threatens nationalist information because nan Chinese authorities could usage TikTok to spy connected Americans aliases weaponize it to covertly power nan U.S. nationalist by amplifying aliases suppressing definite content.
TikTok has many times stated that it would contradict requests from nan Chinese authorities for Americans' data. It besides points to "Project Texas," an inaugural that TikTok began successful 2022 to safeguard American users' information connected servers successful nan U.S. and easiness lawmakers' fears.
The House overwhelmingly passed a measure Wednesday that gives ByteDance a choice: Sell TikTok wrong six months, aliases suffer entree to app stores and web-hosting services successful nan U.S.
It now heads to nan Senate, where's its early is uncertain.
When will nan Senate ballot connected nan TikTok bill?
It doesn't look that nan Senate is successful a hurry to nonstop nan measure to President Biden, who precocious said he would motion it.
A number of senators person noted nan precocious enclosure moves slower than its counterpart, which passed nan measurement conscionable 8 days aft it was introduced.
"It's difficult for maine to ideate that it'll beryllium existent fast. We don't do things fast. We're designed not to do things fast, truthful I would deliberation months," Sen. Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, said Wednesday erstwhile asked astir nan timeline.
On Thursday, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said "lots of mistakes get made erstwhile you unreserved it without reasoning done nan implications."
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, has been noncommittal astir bringing it up for a vote. But nan House's bipartisan support for it and nan White House's petition to move "quickly" puts unit connected nan Senate to act.
Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said Thursday that "we've started conversations" pinch Schumer. Warner, who chairs nan Senate Intelligence Committee, endorsed nan measure aft its transition successful nan House. He said he's besides had a "preliminary conversation" pinch Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, whose sheet would apt person to o.k. a measurement restricting TikTok.
Cantwell has not backed nan measure and suggested it whitethorn acquisition changes.
"I will beryllium talking to my Senate and House colleagues to effort to find a way guardant that is law and protects civilian liberties," nan Washington Democrat said successful a connection Wednesday.
Critics opportunity nan measure violates nan First Amendment authorities of nan 170 cardinal Americans connected TikTok by taking distant a level they usage to definitive themselves, get accusation and communicate.
Some senators person said they want to make changes to nan House bill. An amended type would past person to backmost done nan little enclosure if it passes nan Senate.
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri was doubtful it would get a level vote.
What happens if nan TikTok measure passes nan Senate?
If nan House measure becomes law, it would make it forbidden to administer apps developed by ByteDance, its subsidiaries and different firms "controlled by a overseas adversary," unless nan institution offloads nan app wrong 180 days.
A waste of TikTok faces its ain challenges. The app is judge to person a multibillion-dollar value tag, which fewer companies aliases investors could afford. A woody pinch immoderate tech elephantine that has nan financial resources is apt to deed antitrust roadblocks. And, immoderate waste would require China's sign-off. The Chinese authorities has said it opposes a forced sale.
The six-month deadline to waste TikTok aliases beryllium banned could besides beryllium extended amid a ineligible battle. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, who was connected Capitol Hill connected Thursday gathering pinch lawmakers, has indicated nan institution will situation it.
"It is not feasible to do immoderate nan measure thinks it does, wrong nan parameters group retired successful nan bill," nan main executive said. "This will lead to nan banning of nan app successful nan country."
Prior efforts to wide restrict TikTok successful nan U.S. person not been successful. The astir caller lawsuit stemmed from Montana passing an outright prohibition past year. A national judge temporarily blocked nan rule from taking effect successful January, saying it was unconstitutional.
Alan He and Cristina Corujo contributed reporting.
- In:
- United States Senate
- China
- TikTok
- ByteDance
Caitlin Yilek
Caitlin Yilek is simply a authorities newsman astatine cbsnews.com and is based successful Washington, D.C. She antecedently worked for nan Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a personnel of nan 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship pinch nan National Press Foundation.
