TikTok Ban Moves Closer as House Passes Bill to Force Sale or Ban App
The potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. moved one step closer to reality this week as the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill that could force ByteDance, the popular app’s parent company, to sell its stake or face a nationwide ban.
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- The House passed a bill that could force TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its stake or face a nationwide U.S. ban.
- The bipartisan 352-65 vote emphasizes widespread concerns over TikTok’s links to China and potential national security risks.
- The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future due to concerns about free speech and doubts about singling out one company.
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TikTok Ban Moves Closer as House Passes Bill to Force Sale or Ban App
In a landslide 352-65 vote on Wednesday, the House approved the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
The bill will be sent to the Senate, where its future is uncertain due to concerns over free speech and singling out one company.
If the bill becomes law, ByteDance will have six months to divest from TikTok; otherwise, the app will be banned from U.S. app stores and internet hosting services.
President Biden has already pledged to sign the measure into law.
The Vote and Backlash
The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bill to rein in TikTok.
The bill was introduced because of concerns that China could access American user data, posing a threat to national security.
197 Republicans and 155 Democrats voted in favor of the bill, while 15 Republicans and 50 Democrats opposed it.
However, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew criticized the legislation, saying it would “lead to a ban of TikTok in the United States” despite the company’s efforts to keep data safe.
China also strongly criticized the bill, accusing the U.S. of lacking evidence for alleged threats.
National Security Concerns
Lawmakers and intelligence officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, have voiced concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership.
They worry that it could allow Beijing to manipulate the data and content Americans see on the app for malicious purposes.
On the other hand, TikTok has refuted these claims and is urging the Senate to consider the economic implications of a potential ban.
Such a move could negatively impact small businesses and up to 170 million American users.
Senate Obstacles Ahead
While the House of Representatives rushed the TikTok bill through, its future is less clear in the Senate.
Some senators are reluctant to single out one particular company, citing free speech issues protected by the First Amendment.
The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee support the bill, but Maria Cantwell, the Chair of the Commerce Committee, wants to ensure that any restrictions imposed on TikTok are constitutional.
A previous bipartisan Senate effort to regulate TikTok failed to progress last year.
The House’s decision to pass the bill puts significant pressure on the Senate to act.
However, it remains uncertain if there are enough votes (60) to pass the TikTok bill and overcome a filibuster, setting up a tense debate on online privacy, consumer choice, and national security in the coming weeks on Capitol Hill.
