The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Saturday (4/20) that could ban TikTok from the country if the owner of the popular video platform, based […]
The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Saturday (4/20) that could ban TikTok from the country if the owner of the popular video platform, based in China, does not sell its stake within a year. The measure, which passed with 365 votes in favor and 62 against, still needs to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Joe Biden to become law.
The bill is motivated by national security concerns related to ties between ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, and the Chinese government. Lawmakers of both parties fear the app could be used to collect data from American users or influence the content they see.
TikTok defends itself and promises to fight
TikTok has vehemently denied accusations that it poses a national security risk and said it has never shared American user data with the Chinese government. The platform also vowed to challenge the bill in court, arguing that it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In a statement, the company said its ban would “trample on the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate seven million businesses, and shut down a platform that contributes $24 billion a year to the economy.”
The video app has already been successful in previous court challenges related to its operations in the United States. In November, a federal judge blocked a Montana law that would have banned the use of TikTok statewide, after the company and five content creators who use the platform filed a lawsuit.
A ban is a distant possibility
While the bill passed the House easily, its future in the Senate is uncertain. Some senators have expressed concern that the measure is too broad and could harm American companies that rely on TikTok. Still others want more time to analyze the issue before making a decision. However, senators who were against the measure last year now say they are in favor.
If the bill passes the Senate, it will have to be signed into law by President Biden and TikTok will have a year to find a new American buyer. Only if the company fails to find a buyer within this period will the app be banned in the United States.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
