The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards protecting the American people from potential foreign threats by approving legislation that would force the popular video app TikTok to either separate from its Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance or sell its U.S. version.
The bipartisan Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, introduced by Representative Mike Gallagher and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, gives TikTok six months to eliminate any foreign adversary control, which includes divesting from its current ownership by ByteDance, in order to continue operating in the United States.
In a prepared statement, the lawmakers stated that all TikTok has to do is separate from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled ByteDance. However, if they choose not to do so, the app will no longer be available in U.S. app stores, and they will have no one to blame but themselves.
TikTok has been under scrutiny for potential security concerns, with fears that the app could transfer personal information to its parent company, who in turn could transfer it to the Chinese government. However, these concerns have not yet been proven, and the app has repeatedly denied any allegations against it.
Caitlin Chin-Rothmann, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated that while there is currently no evidence of the CCP controlling TikTok’s algorithm for propaganda purposes, there is a risk of it happening in the future.
TikTok has called the legislation a “ban” and has expressed concerns about the predetermined outcome of a total ban in the United States. However, the bill had strong support from both House Democrats and Republicans, despite receiving numerous phone calls from concerned Americans about losing access to the app.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of the bipartisan measure in taking on China, the United States’ largest geopolitical foe, who is actively undermining the country’s economy and security.
The bill will now move to the Senate, where it may face more challenges in the Democratic-controlled chamber. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has stated that it will be considered in the appropriate committees, and he will listen to their views before determining the best path.
Some Senate Democrats, including Mark Warner, have expressed doubts about the legality of targeting a specific social media app in legislation and have introduced alternative bills that more broadly target apps collecting personal data. However, Warner has also acknowledged the serious national security concerns surrounding TikTok, stating that the Chinese Communist Party could potentially manipulate the app’s algorithm to reflect their views.
The White House has welcomed the legislation, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating that it ensures ownership of the app is not in the hands of those who may harm the United States. This is despite the fact that the Biden campaign recently joined TikTok as part of their efforts to reach out to younger voters.
Former President Donald Trump, who initially called for a ban of the app in 2020, has now changed his stance and argued that banning TikTok would only benefit other social media platforms like Facebook. He stated in a recent interview that while there are both good and bad aspects of TikTok, removing it would only make Facebook bigger.
If the bill passes the Senate and becomes law, it may face challenges in U.S. courts due to constitutional concerns over limiting free speech. It may also be difficult to enforce and face obstacles due to Chinese export control laws that could prevent the sale of TikTok’s algorithm. Additionally, finding a suitable buyer for the app, which is one of the largest companies in the world, may also pose a logistical challenge.
In conclusion, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a crucial step towards protecting the American people from potential foreign threats by passing the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. While there may be challenges ahead, the safety and security of the American people should always be the top priority, and this legislation is a significant step in the right direction.
