U.S Congress Delays TikTok Ban Until After 2024 Election, Giving ByteDance Time To Sell

Eko hot blog reports that In a move impacting the fate of TikTok in the U.S., Congress has included a provision in a $95 billion national security package destined for President Joe Biden’s signature.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• BREAKING: Olusegun Alebiosu Appointed As Acting MD Of First Bank

• New Minimum Wage: NLC Proposes Sanctions For Defaulting Govs

• Soldiers’ Bodies Recovered After Clash With Suspected Bandits In Niger

This provision could potentially lead to the banning of TikTok, but not before the 2024 election.

The legislation grants TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, a window of nine to twelve months to sell the app or face a nationwide ban.

President Biden has the authority to extend this period by 90 days if he deems there’s significant progress towards divestiture.

Consequently, the earliest a ban could take effect is January 2025, or April with an extension, possibly further prolonged by legal battles.

Previously, there was a six-month window in an earlier House-passed bill that could have resulted in a TikTok ban before the November election.

However, recent changes made by Congress have pushed back this deadline, a move attributed to Senate Democrats.

Democrats involved in the negotiation stress that ByteDance is more likely to sell TikTok than risk a U.S. ban.

Senator Tim Kaine asserts that TikTok isn’t going away, emphasizing the commercial interests at play, especially under Chinese Communist Party control.

He predicts that even if sold, TikTok will remain accessible to users, albeit under American ownership.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell and other lawmakers involved in the revision believe that extending the divestment period increases the likelihood of finding a buyer.

They argue that this move provides necessary time for negotiations, aiming for a smooth transition of ownership.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a key figure in the negotiations, emphasizes the pragmatic approach taken, highlighting the increase in support for the bill following the deadline extension.

FURTHER READING

• Hope And Caution: Nigeria’s Energy Sector Braces For Refinery Resurgence And Price Shifts

• JAMB Sanctions Officials Over Harassment Of Hijab-Wearing Candidate

• Tinubu To Open African Counter-Terrorism Summit In Abuja

As the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, the delay ensures its continued presence in the U.S. political landscape, potentially influencing the 2024 election campaign strategies, especially concerning younger voters.

Click to watch our video of the week