In a bipartisan effort, US lawmakers have introduced a bill aimed at compelling Chinese tech giant ByteDance to divest its widely used video-sharing app, TikTok, within six months or face a potential ban. The White House has welcomed this move, expressing concerns about Chinese authorities potentially accessing data from the app.
The bill, titled “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” has been co-authored by Representative Mike Gallagher, a Republican, and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat. It views ByteDance and TikTok as applications controlled by foreign adversaries, particularly China, posing national security risks to the United States.
Under the proposed legislation, ByteDance would be required to sell off TikTok within 165 days or face a ban. The bill establishes a framework for the president, with assistance from intelligence agencies, to classify social media platforms controlled by foreign adversaries, such as Russia and China, as posing national security threats. If an app is deemed risky, it would be removed from online app stores and web hosting providers until it severs ties with businesses controlled by foreign competitors.
Representative Gallagher emphasized that the intention is not a complete ban on TikTok but rather a separation from ByteDance to address national security concerns. He urged US ByteDance investors to support a sale, likening the move to a necessary surgery to remove a tumor and save the patient.
However, TikTok has strongly criticized the bill, labeling it as an “outright ban” disguised under the premise of national security. A spokesperson for TikTok argued that the legislation would violate the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans and negatively impact small businesses reliant on the platform for growth and job creation.
In contrast, the White House has shown support for the bipartisan proposal, though amendments are still under consideration. The Biden administration views the bill as a crucial step in addressing the risks posed by technology services operating in the United States and compromising sensitive data and national security.
TikTok, a widely popular app among US users, has faced previous attempts at restriction, including legislation proposed by senators and former President Donald Trump’s efforts in 2020. Despite being prohibited on government devices, TikTok recently garnered controversy when President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign joined the platform, drawing criticism from Republicans and critics alike.
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