The House is set to vote on a bill today that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok, a popular social media platform used by around 170 million Americans. The bill would require TikTok to be separated from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, in order to remain available on US app stores.
Supporters of the bill argue that TikTok poses a national security threat due to the potential for the Chinese government to access user data through ByteDance. However, the bill faces challenges from different political angles, including former President Trump’s changing stance on banning TikTok and pressure from young progressive TikTok users.
CNN adds, the bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support in the House, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain. TikTok is fighting back against the legislation, calling it an infringement on users’ freedom of expression. The company has launched a campaign urging users to oppose the bill by contacting representatives in Washington.
If the bill becomes law, ByteDance would have five months to sell TikTok, or it would be illegal for app stores like Apple and Google to offer the app for download. President Biden has expressed support for the bill, and it has advanced unanimously in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Despite Trump’s previous support for banning TikTok, he has now expressed opposition to such a move, citing concerns about the impact on competition with Facebook. Lawmakers argue that the bill is not a ban but rather a requirement for TikTok to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
TikTok has refuted lawmakers’ claims that the legislation offers options for the app, stating that the bill aims to completely ban TikTok in the US. The company’s CEO has been seeking meetings with members of Congress to address concerns about the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer has not committed to holding a vote on the House’s TikTok bill, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the legislation’s future.
