The US Congress has approved the legislation needed to ban TalkTalk or divest from Chinese company ByteDance, and the bill will be sent to President Joe Biden for signature after approval.
According to the report of the foreign news agency, the aforementioned legislation of the Congress is part of the 95 billion dollar military aid package given by the United States to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, which has been approved by the Congress after the House of Representatives and the President. With the signature, formal legal form will be taken.
The bill to ban TikTok in the US passed the Senate with a clear majority of 79 members to 18 and President Joe Biden has already said that he will sign the bill immediately.
The bill requires ByteDance to sell the app within a year or be removed from the Apple and Google App Stores in the US.
President Joe Biden expressed his concerns regarding Tik Tok in a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month.
TikTok has been the subject of controversy for years among US officials, who believe Beijing is conducting secret surveillance in the US, but a ban could lead to legal problems.
In a statement on Saturday’s vote in the House of Representatives, TikTok said it was “unfortunate that the bill would ban the app, restricting the freedom of expression of 17 million Americans, and 7 million businesses.” , and the US economy will lose $24 billion in capital on an annual basis.
On the other hand, Steven Mnuchin, who served as Treasury Secretary with former President Donald Trump, has said that he was interested in buying TikTok and had lined up a group of investors.
On the other hand, Elon Musk, the owner of the social networking website X, gave a statement against the ban on Tik Tok, saying that doing so would be against freedom of expression.
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**Interview with Tech Policy Expert Dr. Linda Chang**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Chang. Thank you for joining us today. The recent legislation approved by Congress to ban or divest from ByteDance has made headlines. Can you explain why this move is significant?
**Dr. Chang:** Good morning! Absolutely. This legislation comes at a time when concerns about national security, data privacy, and foreign influence are at an all-time high in the U.S. By targeting ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, Congress is taking decisive steps to address these challenges. The implications reach beyond just one app; they reflect a broader strategy regarding tech competition and security in the digital landscape.
**Interviewer:** The bill is part of a larger $95 billion military budget. How do these two issues intersect?
**Dr. Chang:** The intersection lies in the U.S. government’s recognition that technology and cybersecurity are pivotal aspects of national defense. By allocating funds to both military and tech security measures, Congress is signaling that safeguarding American interests in cyberspace is as critical as traditional defense. This reflects an understanding that in today’s world, information and technology are as vital to national security as military hardware.
**Interviewer:** What are some potential repercussions of this legislation for U.S.-China relations?
**Dr. Chang:** This law could further strain U.S.-China relations. It signals a significant shift in how the U.S. perceives Chinese technology companies, framing them as potential threats rather than partners. We may see retaliatory actions from China, affecting not just trade but also diplomatic relations. In the long run, this could create an environment of greater distrust and economic decoupling.
**Interviewer:** Critics might argue that this kind of legislation could stifle innovation and competition. What are your thoughts on that?
**Dr. Chang:** That’s a valid concern. While protecting national security is paramount, we must also consider how these actions might deter investment and collaboration in the tech sector. If companies feel that they’re operating in a hostile environment, it might hinder innovation and reduce the competitive edge that U.S. firms have. Striking a balance between security and fostering a robust tech ecosystem will be crucial moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Chang, for sharing your insights on this important issue.
**Dr. Chang:** Thank you for having me! It’s an ongoing conversation, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops in the future.
