The House Voted to Ban TikTok; What Could Come Next?

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban on all U.S. devices, with a vote of 352-65. The bill, prompted by national security concerns, faces uncertain prospects in the Senate, despite bipartisan support. The legislation seeks to force TikTok’s divestiture from ByteDance rather than outright banning the app, stemming from fears that the Chinese government could use TikTok for surveillance or propaganda. Despite no public evidence presented, officials and experts raise theoretical concerns about Beijing’s potential influence through the app. FBI Director Wray has expressed worries about TikTok’s security implications, reinforcing the bipartisan concern in Congress. The bill also outlines measures for handling future foreign app threats, ensuring a process for users to transfer their data to other platforms. Critics, including the youngest Congress member, Rep. Frost, argue the bill infringes on First Amendment rights and could harm small businesses and content creators. TikTok and advocacy groups like the ACLU denounce the bill as censorship. Despite the company’s efforts to secure user data through Project Texas, skepticism remains about its effectiveness in protecting national security. The bill’s progression signals a growing legislative focus on the intersection of technology, privacy, and international relations.

Source: NPR