The US Congress is making significant strides towards passing a bill that would compel the Chinese owner of TikTok to divest its ownership of the popular social media platform. This move comes amidst growing concerns over national security and data privacy issues related to the app's ownership by a Chinese company.
The proposed legislation aims to address these concerns by pressuring the Chinese parent company to sell its stake in TikTok. Lawmakers argue that the Chinese government could potentially access user data through the app, posing a threat to US national security.
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, has faced intense scrutiny from US lawmakers and regulators over its data practices and alleged ties to the Chinese government. The Trump administration had previously attempted to ban the app in the US, citing similar national security concerns.
If the bill is passed, it would mark a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the US and China over technology and data security. The legislation reflects a broader push by the US government to limit Chinese influence in the American tech industry.
ByteDance has consistently denied allegations of sharing user data with the Chinese government and has taken steps to distance itself from its Chinese roots. However, these efforts have not been sufficient to allay the fears of US lawmakers, who remain wary of the potential risks associated with TikTok's ownership.
The bill's progress through Congress signals a bipartisan consensus on the need to address the national security implications of Chinese-owned tech companies operating in the US. It remains to be seen how ByteDance will respond to the mounting pressure to sell its stake in TikTok and what impact this legislation will have on the future of the popular social media platform.
