US (Washington Insider Magazine)— Legislation to ban TikTok in the United States is advancing swiftly, with bipartisan support in Congress and backing from President Joe Biden. The bill targets TikTok’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, citing national security concerns.
The proposed law demands TikTok divest from ByteDance within nine months or face a nationwide ban. Lawmakers warn that TikTok’s data collection and algorithm manipulation could pose risks, including spying and election interference.
A Strategic Move
House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to bundle the TikTok bill with billions in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The package is set for a House vote Saturday, with Senate consideration expected next week. President Biden has vowed to sign the legislation.
TikTok has pushed back, arguing the bill violates First Amendment rights and harms small businesses reliant on the platform. “This ban would devastate 7 million businesses and $24 billion in economic activity annually,” TikTok stated.
TikTok Ban Details
The bill, called the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, authorizes the president to label apps controlled by foreign adversaries as security threats. Once flagged, apps would be removed from app stores unless ties to foreign entities are severed.
The bill’s language specifically targets TikTok, though it applies broadly to apps linked to countries like China, Russia, and Iran. Changes to the bill extend the divestiture timeline and allow a one-time extension, easing concerns from some lawmakers.
Dissenting Voices
Despite broad support, a few lawmakers argue the ban would stifle free speech. Critics, including progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman, warn the ban could harm working-class users and communities of color who rely on TikTok.
“Banning TikTok isn’t the solution. We need comprehensive legislation to safeguard privacy and free speech across all platforms,” Bowman urged.
As the legislation nears passage, it signals a pivotal moment in the US debate over data privacy, national security, and the role of foreign-owned platforms in the digital age.
