This would remain in effect until ByteDance sold TikTok.
The United States has moved closer to banning TikTok with a vote in the House of Representatives.
The House passed a bill that would lead to the app being banned in the US if its Chinese owner does not sell. It will now go to the Senate.
But how would a ban work, what would it mean for users – and could something similar happen in the UK?
The bill would require the Chinese company ByteDance to sell its stake in the US version of TikTok or the app would be effectively banned.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the goal is ending Chinese ownership – not banning TikTok.
However, it is unclear if China would approve any sale or if it could go ahead within six months.
There’s also a question mark over who would buy it – although if the legislation is passed, it could make the sale price cheaper.
Stanford University researcher Graham Webster said:
“Somebody would have to actually be ready to shell out the large amount of money that this product and system is worth.
“But even if somebody has deep enough pockets and is ready to go into negotiating to purchase, this sort of matchmaking on acquisitions is not quick.”
What would it mean for users?
TikTok is used by approximately 170 million Americans.
If it is banned, it would be removed from app stores including Apple and Google and blocked on web hosting services.
This would remain in effect until ByteDance sold TikTok.
However, it is likely users could still access TikTok using virtual private networks (VPNs) that bypass restrictions, according to telecom analyst Roger Entner.
Why is the US Worried?
Both the FBI and Federal Communications Commission have warned that TikTok owner ByteDance could share user data with China’s government.
This includes browsing history, location and biometric identifiers.
But TikTok said it has never done that and would not do so if asked.
The concern stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organisations to help with intelligence gathering.
The US director of national intelligence has also said she “cannot rule out” that China would use TikTok to influence US elections.
What happens after the vote?
President Joe Biden has said he would sign legislation banning the app.
That is despite his 2024 campaign officially joining TikTok in February 2024.
Any forced TikTok divestment from the US would almost certainly face legal challenges, which the company would need to file within 165 days of the bill being signed.
In November 2023, a US judge blocked a Montana state ban on TikTok use after the company sued.
A ban is also likely to face challenges on the grounds that it restricts the right to free speech, with civil liberties groups arguing it infringes on the First Amendment.
The bill’s passage could also change depending on the outcome of the November 2024 election.
Despite Donald Trump vowing to ban the app in 2020 on national security grounds, he no longer supports a ban.
Could a Ban happen in the UK?
TikTok has not faced a nationwide ban in the UK, but in March 2023 it was banned from government devices.
This came after a review found there “could” be a risk to how data and information is used by the app.
Oliver Dowden said while TikTok use was “limited”, banning it was good cyber “hygiene”.
However, he stressed the government was not advising people against using TikTok in a personal capacity.
He told MPs: “This ban applies to government corporate devices within ministerial and non-ministerial departments, but it will not extend to personal devices for government employees or ministers or the general public.
“That is because, as I have outlined, this is a proportionate move based on a specific risk with government devices.”
The cabinet office said the move was taken because TikTok users are required to hand over data including contacts, user content and geolocation data.
TikTok urged senators to listen to their constituents before taking any action on the bill, which it said amounted to a ban.
A TikTok spokesperson said: “This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: It’s a ban.
“We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realise the impact on the economy, seven million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service.”