US Senate passes TikTok ban bill

The US Senate has approved a controversial landmark bill that could see TikTok banned in America.

The bill will now be handed over to US President Joe Biden, who has said he will sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk.

It gives TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, nine months to sell its stake or the app will be blocked in the United States.

If the US is successful in forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok any deal would still need approval from Chinese officials but Beijing has vowed to oppose any such move. Analysts say the process could take years.

The measure was passed as part of a package of four bills which also included military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other US partners in the Indo-Pacific region. 

It had widespread support from lawmakers, with 79 Senators voting for it and 18 against.