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The Future of the TikTok Ban Bill: What Comes Next?
The future of TikTok in the United States is still uncertain, as the legislative process regarding the proposed ban on the popular social media app is still ongoing. After the House passed a bill mandating a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or face a ban, the next step is for the bill to be reviewed by the Senate. If the Senate approves the bill, it will then need to be signed into law by President Biden. However, even if the bill becomes law, there are still several factors that could affect whether or not TikTok will actually be banned in the U.S.
Many Senators have raised concerns about the constitutionality of the bill, as it specifically targets TikTok and ByteDance. Some argue that this could violate the part of the Constitution that prohibits Congress from targeting specific entities with legislation. Senators such as Chuck Schumer and Maria Cantwell have not yet confirmed their support for the bill, and Cantwell has stated that she is working to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties.
Even if the bill is signed into law, there will be a six-month grace period for ByteDance to find a buyer for TikTok. If a suitable buyer is found within that time frame, the ban will be lifted. However, if no buyer is found, app stores and internet hosting companies will no longer be allowed to offer TikTok for download or send updates to the app.
The likelihood of TikTok being banned in the U.S. will depend on whether ByteDance can find a buyer willing to meet the potentially high price tag, as well as potential complications related to the sale or divestiture of the app’s global operations. Additionally, the Chinese government’s stance on TikTok’s sale could also impact the outcome.
It is possible that any ban on TikTok could be delayed due to legal challenges, as TikTok or other parties may choose to challenge the legality of the legislation in court. Ultimately, a judge could overturn the ban entirely.
If a ban does go into effect, existing TikTok users may experience disruptions to the app, as app stores and hosting services may no longer provide updates or support. However, users will be allowed to download their videos and content from the app.
In conclusion, the future of TikTok in the U.S. is still uncertain, as the legislative process is ongoing and there are many variables that could affect the outcome. Only time will tell what the ultimate fate of TikTok will be in the United States.
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.