US Lawmakers Push New Bill To Restrict TikTok for Security Concerns

A renewed effort on Capitol Hill is targeting TikTok, a popular app owned by China-based company ByteDance, due to concerns over potential ties to the Chinese government. Despite previous attempts stalling, a new bill is gaining traction, aiming to safeguard national security.

TikTok, boasting over 150 million monthly users in the U.S., faces scrutiny over data security risks. The proposed legislation, dubbed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, seeks to bar apps developed by ByteDance and its subsidiaries unless divested within 180 days.

Rep. Mike Gallagher leads the charge, emphasizing the bill’s importance in preserving online freedom and privacy. Bipartisan support underscores worries about data sharing and potential espionage by foreign adversaries.

The bill’s implications are significant. ByteDance must choose between selling TikTok or facing a ban from U.S. app stores and web hosting services. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers stresses the need for stringent documentation and congressional oversight to avoid misuse of power.

Lawmakers cite national security threats and the risk of foreign influence as reasons behind the push. Concerns persist despite TikTok’s denials of data sharing with the Chinese government. Past attempts, including an executive order by former President Trump, were thwarted by legal challenges.

The bill’s progress signals a potential crackdown on TikTok’s operations unless ByteDance complies. While not explicitly a ban, the legislation presents a decisive ultimatum for the company.

TikTok’s response is vehement, labeling the bill a “total ban” and saying it would “strip 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression” and “damage millions of businesses, deny artists an audience, and destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country.” The platform rallies users to oppose the legislation, prompting a surge in calls to lawmakers.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is advancing the bill swiftly, with plans for a full House vote. Its fate in the Senate remains uncertain, although bipartisan support hints at its potential passage.

Despite expected legal challenges, proponents remain optimistic about the bill’s efficacy. Its targeted approach aims to address security concerns surrounding TikTok specifically, marking a potential breakthrough in regulating technology from foreign adversaries.

As debates ensue, the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, subject to legislative decisions and legal battles ahead.