Source:https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3260345/us-sell-or-ban-law-against-tiktok-stirs-unease-china-beijing-social-media-giant-bytedance-stay-mum
TechTech War

US sell-or-ban law against TikTok stirs unease in China as Beijing, social media giant ByteDance stay mum on next moves

  • China’s state media has published various opinion pieces to slam Washington’s sell-or-ban ultimatum against short video app operator TikTok
  • ByteDance-owned TikTok is set to pursue legal action challenging the constitutionality of that measure, which US President Joe Biden signed into law

Coco Fengin Beijing
ByteDance-owned TikTok is poised to challenge the constitutionality of Washington’s sell-or-ban ultimatum. Photo: Shutterstock
The United States government’s passage of a sell-or-ban law against popular short video app TikTok has stirred unease and anger in mainland China, even as Beijing and social media giant ByteDance keep silent about their response.
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law a legislative measure that would ban TikTok in America unless Chinese owner ByteDance divests the short video platform’s US business. Biden has set a January 19 deadline – one day before his term is to expire – but he could grant a three-month extension if he determines ByteDance is making progress.
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