Payam Javan: The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to divest its ownership of the app within a year or face a ban from mobile app stores and web-hosting services.

The bill, which was included in a foreign aid package, was motivated by concerns about national security and free speech. Supporters argued that TikTok could be exploited by a foreign adversary, citing the Chinese government’s influence and data security risks. Despite TikTok’s assurances of data independence and proposals like “Project Texas,” critics remained skeptical, emphasizing the need for ByteDance to relinquish control to safeguard American interests.

The debate also delved into the potential impact on free speech, with some senators cautioning against unintended consequences while others maintained that allegiance to the Chinese government undermined any such concerns. As the bill awaits President Biden’s signature, TikTok has vowed legal action on First Amendment grounds, setting the stage for further scrutiny of its ties to China and implications for online discourse.