Chile, the words “TikTok ban” Make US content creators lose their minds on social media! That’s because the Senate passed a bill on Tuesday (April 23) that threatens to ban the app unless its Chinese parent company sells it.
But what Exactly Does that mean about 170 million American TikTokers?
Keep scrolling to find out which rapper has already agreed to buy the app! Here’s a hint: He likes being first!
TikTok ban: The legal collapse before and after Biden’s signature
This morning (April 24th) President Joe Biden reaffirmed the Senate’s vote by signing the bill that enacted the sale of TikTok, according to the New York Times.
The bill particularly emphasized safety concerns Byte Dance – based in Beijing – owner and operator of the app. It argues that the Chinese government could force the app to hand over sensitive data about its millions of American users, such as names and visual recognition data.
According to the Associated Press, a number of Chinese national security laws that require organizations to help gather information pose the greatest risk. The Chinese government could force ByteDance to comply with these laws.
There are also concerns that China is spreading propaganda through the app and using other authoritarian government exercises to control ByteDance.
To be clear, the bill does not focus exclusively on TikTok. Instead, it’s a $95 million spending package that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, while also including language for a possible ban on the short-video app. The package was reportedly approved in a bipartisan vote of 79-18, with only 15 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the deal.
What happens to your TikTok app?
However, Biden signing the bill into law does not mean the app will suddenly disappear from phones. Even everyday users face no legal consequences for using it after it is banned.
ByteDance has six months to sell TikTok. The bill also provides for a three-month extension if the app does not sell. If the sale is already underway, the company has another three months to complete it.
If the app is not sold within those 12 months, the US government will ban TikTok from the Apple and Google app stores and make the app no longer available for download.
This would also mean that TikTok would be unable to send updates, security patches, and bug fixes, and the app would likely become unusable over time – not to mention a security risk.
But given likely legal challenges, this could drag on even longer, possibly even years, according to the AP. TikTok has had some success in court challenges in the past, but has never tried to prevent federal laws from taking effect.
Check out the rapper who wants to take over ByteDance
In the meantime, Soulja Boy has already thrown its wallet at ByteDance’s little problem. The “Pretty Boy Swag” rapper took to X (formerly Twitter) to inquire about the cost of the app. He expressed surprise at what he sees as a lack of outrage over “freedom of speech” and violations of the First Amendment.
“I can’t believe you guys are just going to let them ban TikTok like that. And you all think it’s funny. If they do it with this app, they can do it with any app or website. Not cool, you’ll see later,” he wrote.
Soulja claimed that TikTok takes the top spot among all other platforms. He added, “How much do you want for TikTok? I’m going to buy it.”
But Soulja may want to slow down as TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew says the company plans to challenge the ban in court. He warned users in a video that “This is a ban, a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice.” Politicians may say otherwise. But don’t be confused.”
See what else he said below.
RELATED: Soulja Boy Jokes That Without Him There Would Be No TikTok
Associated Press reporters contributed to this report.