The controversial divest-or-ban bill targeting TikTok has now officially been signed into law, initiating a countdown for the app’s parent company ByteDance to make a critical decision on the future of its operations in the United States.
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The new law mandates that ByteDance has an initial period of nine months to reach an agreement to divest TikTok’s US assets to an American company, thereby addressing longstanding concerns that the app’s data could be accessed and exploited by the Chinese government. However, the president has the authority to grant ByteDance a three-month extension beyond the initial deadline if he perceives that substantive progress is being made in divestment negotiations.
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek stated that the company plans to challenge the law in the courts, which could ultimately extend the timeline should the courts delay enforcement pending a resolution.
“As we continue to challenge this unconstitutional ban, we will continue investing and innovating to ensure TikTok remains a space where Americans of all walks of life can safely come to share their experiences, find joy, and be inspired,” Haurek said.
“Make no mistake, this is a ban,” TikTok CEO Shou Chew said in a video posted on TikTok Wednesday, objecting to some lawmakers’ assertions that they just want to see the platform disconnected from Chinese ownership. “A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice.”
