Biden signs TikTok bill into law, starting clock for ByteDance to divest

Post by Aloisius » Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 4:51 PM UTC

avn2109 wrote: post #118

slg wrote: post #75

>The "Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" was approved as part of a larger appropriations bill that provides aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Regardless of your opinions on TikTok, this type of thing is incredibly frustrating and routine practice in American politics. Can't actually get support for the legislation you want? Just add it on to some other completely unrelated piec…

Besides the "unrelated legislation" thing, this is just such blatant corporate welfare for the American BigCo's that will buy Tiktok. Microsoft and Google are absolutely salivating at the thought of buying their way into a major social network in 2024, and not only will the Feds not go after them for antitrust, they'll actually greenlight it in advance and mandate the sale. Big tech lobbying money well spent!

Post by importantbrian » Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 4:52 PM UTC

LordShredda wrote: post #59

returningfory2 wrote: post #38

The work "ban" is in scare quotes for a reason. The law doesn't ban TikTok. Rather, it bans TikTok from having Chinese owners. If the law stands, the end result will likely be that TikTok will be sold to US owners, rather than TikTok going away. It's surprising to me that this this pretty significant distinction has been glossed over both in media reporting and in general comments here on HN. To be clear, I'm not sup…

This is pretty much a ban. Why would the company convert their main product into a competitor? Majority of congress isn't stupid and knows what they want to happen.

Post by LordKeren » Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 4:53 PM UTC

bink wrote: post #140

duxup wrote: post #113

I'm not opposed. Granted my basis would be that China effectively bans such social media apps from the outside ... I'm ok with doing the same for them.

I should hope we hold ourselves to a higher bar than China. This would effectively set the precedent that the US Congress can choose winners and losers in the market and even force a sale of a foreign company to an American company. That's the type of action taken by Russia and China that is rightfully condemned. I'd prefer if we focused on why the app is dangerous and maybe pass some comprehensive privacy or anti-mo…

Post by Buttons840 » Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 4:54 PM UTC

afavour wrote: post #148

Buttons840 wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If TikTok truly is a Chinese psyop, the most effective thing they could do is spend their remaining days sewing discontent with the government, refuse to sell, and let the whole thing burn down, thus riling up "the youths" and teaching them that their own government is a problem. They could also tell TikTok users to install a VPN and access the servers in China directly. I actually see this as a silver lining. I want…

> I actually see this as a silver lining. I want young people to realize the government effects them and can directly ruin things they enjoy. Would you also consider it a win if young people realize the dangers of social media apps owned by geopolitical competitors able to alter the mindset of the population?

Post by mondobe » Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 4:55 PM UTC

mullingitover wrote: post #6

Nine months kicks the can down the road past the election. I doubt that's a coincidence.