Biden Signed TikTok Ban, Here’s What Might Happen Next

President Joe Biden just signed a law that will ban TikTok in the United States unless it is sold to another owner.

Rep. Barbara Lee Says It’s Unfair To Ban TikTok & Defund UNRWA, A Holistic Approach Needed

Rep. Barbara Lee Says It’s Unfair To Ban TikTok & Defund UNRWA, A Holistic Approach Needed

President Joe Biden signed a massive $95 million military aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan on Tuesday night. The package was signed against the backdrop of mass protests on college campuses, most notably at Columbia University, where students are demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

But nestled inside the package was another provision certain to be unpopular with younger voters — a likely ban on the popular social media app TikTok.

The Root spoke to Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) about the potential TikTok ban last month. “I believe in regulation, but I believe in the type of regulation that is fair and across the board,” said Lee. “You don’t single out one company.”

Lee argued that Congress has a vested interest in regulating social media companies, noting the documented connection between social media usage and suicide in children. However, what they’re doing now is short sighted.

“If you’re going to start banning social media and dealing with First Amendment issues then you’ve got to look at the whole picture,” she said.

When Would a Ban Go Into Effect?

Presuming ByteDance doesn’t sell to a U.S.-based company, the earliest a ban would go into effect would be in January 2025, meaning the ban wouldn’t be active until after the 2024 election (read into that whatever you want).

Biden is also permitted to extend the deadline by an additional 30 days. And TikTok has threatened legal action — which could extend the deadline even further.

 

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