House Passes Bill to Force TikTok’s Chinese Owner to Sell or Face Ban in U.S.
In a bold move that could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, the House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday that would require TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the popular video app or risk being banned in the United States.
The bipartisan bill, which passed with overwhelming support in a vote of 352-65, reflects growing concerns over national security risks posed by Chinese ownership of popular social media platforms. The legislation aims to address these concerns by forcing ByteDance to divest TikTok to non-Chinese owners within six months.
Republican leaders pushed the bill through the House quickly, despite efforts by TikTok to rally its 170 million U.S. users against the measure. The Biden administration has also been vocal in its support for the bill, citing grave national security risks associated with Chinese ownership of the platform.
The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where some lawmakers have expressed reservations about bringing it to a vote. However, proponents of the legislation argue that it is a necessary step to protect national security interests and prevent Chinese influence over important technologies.
TikTok has vehemently denied allegations that it poses a threat to U.S. national security, pointing to measures it has taken to protect user data and ensure transparency in its operations. The company has also launched a campaign to mobilize users against the bill, warning of a potential ban on the app in the U.S.
If the bill were to become law, it could deepen tensions between the U.S. and China over control of technology and data. The outcome of this legislative battle could have far-reaching implications for the future of social media and national security in the digital age.
