The United States is pushing a law that would require ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to sell its shares to non-Chinese shareholders or face a ban on the app in the United States. This decision is set to impact both American soil and smartphones. In the upcoming vote, the House will consider an aid package for Israel and Ukraine, including a provision related to TikTok. The company would be given up to a year to find potential buyers, in contrast to an earlier proposal of six months. The goal is to remove control of the platform from the Chinese government, which all Chinese companies are legally subject to, despite TikTok’s denials.
Senator Giulio Terzi of Sant’Agata, president of the Senate EU Policies Committee, views TikTok as a dangerous platform due to its negative impact on young people and its ties to the Chinese regime. He believes that Europe must act quickly to coordinate with the United States to protect democracy. On the other hand, Senator Enrico Borghi, the group leader of Italia Viva and a member of Copasir, recognizes the complexity of the geopolitical situation surrounding TikTok. While he acknowledges the warnings from the United States and Europe, he emphasizes the need to carefully consider the implications on freedom of expression and business.
National security experts consider TikTok to be a propaganda tool and data collection platform for the Chinese government. With its lobbying efforts intensifying, TikTok is facing pressure to comply with potential divestment requirements. The Senate is expected to vote on a package that includes banning TikTok from the United States, with President Joe Biden promising swift action. The recent acceleration in the passage of the American law underscores the challenges posed by TikTok’s ownership structure and its potential security risks.