TikTok Faces Potential Ban in US
NEW YORK — TikTok is fighting back against a potential ban in the US, arguing that such a move would “trample the free speech” of 170 million Americans.
The US House of Representatives recently voted to ban TikTok unless the app’s owner severs ties with China. This decision was part of a larger US foreign policy package that included aid for Ukraine and could soon become law.
US officials have expressed concerns about TikTok’s popularity among young people, claiming that its owner Bytedance is closely linked to Beijing. Bytedance has consistently denied these allegations.
The legislation targeting TikTok was included in a package approved by lawmakers, which also allocated $61 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, as well as funding for Israel and Taiwan.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted on the updated divest-or-ban bill, with 360 to 58 in favor. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week, and President Joe Biden has indicated he will sign it into law.
If the bill passes, Bytedance will have nine months to sell its stake in TikTok, with a potential three-month extension during the sale process, or face a ban in the US.
A TikTok spokesperson criticized the bill, arguing that it would infringe on the free speech rights of millions of Americans, harm businesses, and disrupt a platform that contributes significantly to the US economy.
TikTok has emphasized that ByteDance is not controlled by China or any other country. ByteDance also highlights its global ownership structure, with 60% of the company owned by international investment firms.
Concerns about Beijing’s influence over private companies, including ByteDance, have fueled the push for tighter restrictions on TikTok in the US. China has dismissed these concerns as unfounded and warned of potential consequences for the US.
Despite these challenges, TikTok has taken steps to address security concerns by routing US users’ data through Oracle servers in Texas since 2022.
Republican Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a co-author of the bill, emphasized the importance of ensuring TikTok’s operations are not controlled by a foreign adversary. He acknowledged the app’s positive content but stressed the need for accountability.
