The US House of Representatives has taken a major step towards potentially banning TikTok. Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill requiring the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell TikTok to a US-friendly company within 180 days or face a nationwide shutdown.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. Some Senators have already expressed support, while others may oppose it on the grounds of free speech. President Biden has indicated he would sign the bill into law if it passes both houses of Congress.
The legislation stems from growing concerns that the Chinese government could use TikTok to collect sensitive user data and spread propaganda. ByteDance strongly denies these allegations. However, the company’s efforts to mobilize TikTok users against the bill appear to have backfired among lawmakers.
Critics argue the bill is less about a sale and more about an outright ban. TikTok contends the proposed legislation violates free speech rights and would deprive millions of Americans of the popular app. Whether ByteDance would agree to sell TikTok also remains unknown.
