The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that could potentially lead to a nationwide ban on the popular social media app TikTok. The bill would require TikTok to be separated from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, a move that lawmakers argue is necessary to protect national security.
Despite the House’s approval, it remains unclear what the future holds for the bill in the Senate. The proposed legislation has faced pushback from former President Donald Trump, Democrats, and even TikTok creators who are concerned about the app’s potential ban.
In response to the bill, TikTok has launched a call-to-action campaign within the app to oppose the legislation. ByteDance has been given five months to sell TikTok before it becomes illegal in US app stores. While President Joe Biden has shown support for the bill, it is uncertain if Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will hold a vote on the matter.
The bill has been met with criticism and confusion, especially given Trump’s shifting stance on a TikTok ban as he has instead focused on criticizing other tech giants like Facebook. Lawmakers have emphasized that the bill is not a ban but rather a necessary step to ensure TikTok is separated from the Chinese Communist Party.
Meanwhile, TikTok’s CEO has attempted last-minute meetings with Congress, accusing lawmakers of mischaracterizing the app and its campaign efforts. As the fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance, the debate over its national security implications continues to unfold in Washington.
