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U.S House Passes Bill That Could Ban TikTok Nationwide

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted March 14, 2024

The House approved a bill that could ban TikTok in the US if its creator Bytedance doesn’t divest the platform.

By a striking majority of 352-65 votes, the House signaled its intent to address national security concerns associated with foreign-controlled applications.

It specifically targets TikTok, owned by the Chinese tech conglomerate ByteDance.

The legislation, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was introduced by Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.).

Both lawmakers are members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, highlighting the bipartisan consensus.

The bill brands TikTok as a national security threat due to its ties with a foreign adversary and outlines a direct path for ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban in the US.

The bill continues to the Senate, whose fate hangs in the balance amid a divided opinion among senators.

Past attempts at federal and state levels to restrict TikTok have seen limited success, making the bill's future uncertain.

Bill “gives more power to a handful of other social media companies”

A TikTok spokesperson said: “This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it’s a ban.

“We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service.”

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew called it a “disappointing vote in the House of Representatives.”

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He said the bill “gives more power to a handful of other social media companies” and that “it also take billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses.”

Chew added: “Over the last few years, we have invested to keep your data safe in our platform, free from outside manipulation; we have committed that we will continue to do so.

“This legislation, if signed into law, will lead to a ban of TikTok in the United States, even the bill sponsors admit that that’s their goal.”

The White House has supported the legislation, with President Joe Biden indicating readiness to sign the bill into law.

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