A bill aimed at potentially barring the popular video-sharing app TikTok in the United States is swiftly moving through the House as lawmakers express concerns over the platform's potential for surveillance and manipulation of Americans. The measure, supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, has advanced out of committee in a unanimous bipartisan vote of 50-0 and may soon face a full House vote.
The bill, which has received technical support from the White House, requires ByteDance Ltd., TikTok's Beijing-based parent company, to divest TikTok and other controlled applications within 180 days of enactment. Additionally, it establishes a process for the executive branch to block access to apps owned by foreign adversaries if they pose national security threats.
Critics fear that TikTok could be compelled by the Chinese government to share data on American users, potentially spreading misinformation beneficial to Beijing. However, TikTok denies such actions and the U.S. government has not provided evidence of data sharing. Former President Donald Trump previously attempted to ban TikTok through an executive order, which was blocked by courts.
TikTok has raised concerns about the bill, arguing it amounts to an outright ban that infringes on free speech rights. The bill's author, Rep. Mike Gallagher, refutes this claim, stating it aims to prompt a change in TikTok's ownership. Lawmakers have been urged to reject the bill by TikTok, which has been accused of being a propaganda tool for the Chinese government.
To address lawmakers' worries, TikTok has pledged to segregate U.S. user data from ByteDance and store it independently. Despite these assurances, some advocacy groups have cautioned against passing the bill, citing potential violations of free speech rights.
The White House has expressed support for the legislation but emphasized the need for further refinement. President Joe Biden would consider endorsing the bill once it meets legal standards and gains congressional approval. The administration continues to engage with TikTok while prioritizing national security concerns.
