In a significant move, the House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill aimed at compelling TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell the popular video app or risk being banned in the United States. The decision underscores a growing showdown between Washington and Beijing over technology control, with implications for national security and free speech.
The bill garnered widespread support from both Republicans and Democrats, highlighting bipartisan consensus on the need to address concerns surrounding Chinese ownership of TikTok. The legislation was fast-tracked through the House, reflecting a sense of urgency among lawmakers to take action in an election year. With a decisive vote of 352-65, the bill signals a united front in Congress against potential security risks posed by Chinese-controlled technology platforms.
TikTok, with its 170 million U.S. users, has been at the center of scrutiny over its ties to Beijing and the potential for data privacy breaches. The bill aims to compel ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its ownership to non-Chinese entities within six months. Failure to do so would result in the app being banned in the U.S.
REELated:
Representative Mike Gallagher, a leading advocate for the bill, emphasized the importance of severing ties between TikTok and the Chinese Communist Party to safeguard national security. Despite TikTok’s efforts to rally its user base against the measure, the bipartisan coalition supporting the bill remained steadfast.
While the bill’s passage in the House marks a significant milestone, its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has yet to commit to bringing the bill to a vote, and opposition from some lawmakers could pose challenges to its passage. Additionally, legal hurdles may arise even if the bill becomes law.
The bill’s approval underscores the deepening rift between the US and China over technology dominance. Beijing has condemned the move by US lawmakers, rejecting allegations of TikTok’s threat to national security. The Biden administration has also taken steps to address concerns over Chinese-owned technology platforms, signaling a bipartisan consensus on the need for action.
As the debate continues, the fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance, with implications for both national security and free speech. The bill represents a concerted effort by lawmakers to address the evolving challenges posed by the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
