US (Washington Insider Magazine)—The US House of Representatives has passed a pivotal bill that could lead to the nationwide ban of TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests its ownership within six months.
The bill, which garnered bipartisan support, now heads to the Senate before requiring President Joe Biden’s signature to become law. The legislation underscores growing concerns over potential national security risks tied to TikTok’s connection to the Chinese government.
Concerns Over Chinese Influence
Lawmakers fear that ByteDance’s ownership exposes the app’s 150 million US users to surveillance and influence by the Chinese Communist Party. Under China’s national security laws, companies must share data with the government if requested.
Mike Gallagher, the Wisconsin Republican co-authoring the bill, stated,
“We cannot take the risk of a dominant news platform controlled by an entity beholden to the Chinese Communist Party.”
Despite TikTok’s reassurances that it has safeguarded US user data, investigations revealed instances of data being accessed by ByteDance employees in China, fueling mistrust.
Beijing’s Opposition
China has vowed to resist forced divestiture, with foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin warning the move would
“Come back to bite the US.”
ByteDance would need Beijing’s approval to divest TikTok, setting the stage for a potential diplomatic clash.
Impacts on TikTok and Users
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew argued the ban would harm competition and thousands of American jobs, stating,
“This bill risks giving more power to a few other social media companies.”
Content creators, like Mona Swain, who depend on TikTok for income, expressed fear over the potential ban. “Losing this platform would disrupt my ability to support my family,” she said.
The Road Ahead
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to review the bill, though its fate remains uncertain amid opposition from some lawmakers, including former President Donald Trump.
While proponents highlight national security concerns, critics argue the legislation could alienate younger voters and harm businesses reliant on TikTok’s platform.
If passed, ByteDance faces a daunting task to divest its $268 billion asset, with analysts questioning whether US competitors can afford such a purchase amidst potential antitrust challenges.
For now, TikTok’s fate lies in the hands of Congress and President Biden, with implications that could reverberate through the tech industry and US-China relations alike.