The US House of Representatives has taken a significant step by passing a bill that could result in a nationwide ban of the widely-used video app TikTok if its China-based owner fails to sell the platform.
This move follows concerns US lawmakers raised regarding TikTok’s current ownership structure, which they perceive as a potential threat to national security.
The bill, approved by a substantial margin of 352-65, will now move to the Senate for further consideration. However, the outcome of the bill in the Senate remains uncertain at this point.
TikTok, boasting over 150 million American users, operates as a Chinese technology company ByteDance subsidiary.
Lawmakers argue that ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government pose a risk, as it could potentially access and exploit user data from TikTok’s American consumers as per Chinese national security laws mandating cooperation with intelligence gathering.
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that TikTok faces a clear choice: either sever ties with its parent company ByteDance, which is linked to the Chinese Communist Party, to continue operating in the US, or face the consequences of siding with the CCP.
Despite the House’s approval, the bill’s journey to becoming law involves additional steps, including passage by the Senate. Members of the Senate have indicated that the bill will undergo a thorough review before any decision is made.
I’m voting NO on the TikTok forced sale bill.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 13, 2024
This bill was incredibly rushed, from committee to vote in 4 days, with little explanation.
There are serious antitrust and privacy questions here, and any national security concerns should be laid out to the public prior to a vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer mentioned consulting relevant committee chairs to determine the bill’s legislative path. President Joe Biden intends to sign the bill if it receives congressional approval legally.
House’s passage of this bill underscores the growing tension between lawmakers and the tech industry. While legislators have previously criticized tech platforms for their expansive influence, the focus on TikTok represents a new development, targeting a platform popular among millions, significantly younger demographics.
This legislative action against TikTok comes at a pivotal time, just months before the upcoming US presidential election, adding a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding technology regulation and national security concerns.
