The U.S. House of Representatives has greenlit a bill that could potentially reshape the fate of TikTok, the wildly popular short-video app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
The bill, passed with a commanding 352-65 majority and bipartisan support, mandates ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets within six months. Failure to comply could result in a ban on the app, marking the most significant threat to TikTok since the Trump administration’s actions.
The legislation, which is now set for Senate review, has sparked intense debate among lawmakers. While some senators favor the bill’s current approach, others advocate for different strategies in regulating foreign-owned apps posing security concerns. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has affirmed the Senate’s commitment to scrutinizing the bill, setting the stage for further deliberations.
TikTok, boasting approximately 170 million American users, has emerged as a central issue in Washington. Lawmakers have reported a surge in calls from teenage TikTok enthusiasts opposing the bill. The volume of these objections has, at times, exceeded the number of calls regarding pressing international matters, such as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Expressing dissatisfaction, a TikTok spokesperson criticized the process, labeling it “secret” and accusing the bill of being rushed through with the sole intent of imposing a ban. The spokesperson expressed hope that the Senate would thoroughly consider the facts and listen to the voices of their constituents before making a final decision.
This legislative move against TikTok is part of a broader trend in Washington to address national security concerns related to China. From concerns about connected vehicles to cutting-edge artificial intelligence chips and even to cranes at U.S. ports, the U.S. government has been on high alert regarding Chinese involvement in critical sectors.
Read About: Airbnb Implements Stricter Privacy Measures for Hosts: Banning Hidden Cameras
House Republican Steve Scalise emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it a “critical national security issue” and urging the Senate to take swift action. Meanwhile, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a pivotal figure in the Senate’s next steps, emphasized the importance of crafting legislation that could withstand legal challenges.
The bill’s swift progress is notable, having been proposed just over a week ago following limited public debate. This momentum follows more than a year of stalled action in Congress. Even TikTok itself seemed cautiously optimistic last month, with the company’s officials expressing doubts about the likelihood of legislation this year.
Adding a human element to the debate, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew made a scheduled visit to Capitol Hill to engage with senators. The CEO’s visit coincided with a rally outside the Capitol, where dozens of TikTok users gathered in support of the app. TikTok, in a show of solidarity, funded the travel and accommodations for these supporters.
Read About: TikTok to unveil a Music streaming app to rival Apple Music and Spotify
Among the rally participants was Mona Swain, a 23-year-old TikTok creator, who shared her story of turning TikTok into a full-time profession. Swain highlighted the app’s role in supporting her family, paying her mother’s mortgage, and funding her siblings’ college education.
She expressed deep concern about the potential impact of the bill on creators like herself, emphasizing the fear of losing livelihoods.
Despite vocal support for TikTok, the political climate appears to favor the bill’s passage. President Joe Biden has signaled his willingness to sign the legislation, with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasizing the goal of ending Chinese ownership rather than outright banning TikTok.
The potential ramifications for ByteDance and TikTok are significant. If ByteDance fails to divest its U.S. assets within the stipulated timeframe, major app stores operated by tech giants such as Apple and Google could be legally barred from offering TikTok or providing web hosting services to ByteDance-controlled applications.
This legislative push echoes former President Donald Trump’s attempts to ban TikTok and the Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat in 2020, which were thwarted by legal challenges. The fate of other prominent Chinese-owned apps, such as Tencent’s WeChat, remains uncertain under this new legislation.
However, any forced divestment of TikTok’s U.S. operations is likely to face substantial legal hurdles. The company would have 165 days from the bill’s signing to mount legal challenges. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union have already raised concerns about the legislation’s potential infringement on free speech rights.
