TikTok ban advances in Congress despite GOP opposition
A Controversial Bill to Ban TikTok in the U.S. Advances to the House Floor
A highly debated bill that could potentially prohibit the Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok from being downloaded in the United States is making its way to the House floor. The legislation, known as the ‘‘Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” was unanimously approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in a bipartisan vote of 50-0.
Introduced by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), the bill requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app or face a complete ban in the U.S. It also establishes a process for the executive branch to ban apps in the future if they pose a “national security” risk.
Rep. Gallagher, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, delivered a strong message to TikTok, stating, “Break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users. America’s foremost adversary should not control a dominant media platform in our country. TikTok’s time in the United States is over unless it ends its relationship with CCP-controlled ByteDance.”
What the Bill Considers “Controlled by a Foreign Adversary”
(A) a foreign person that is domiciled in, is headquartered in, has its principal place of business in, or is organized under the laws of a foreign adversary country; (B) an entity with respect to which a foreign person or combination of foreign persons described in subparagraph (A) directly or indirectly own at least a 20 percent stake; or (C) a person subject to the direction or control of a foreign person or entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
While the bill has garnered support from several GOP congressmen, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), some Republican lawmakers and former President Donald Trump have expressed their opposition to a complete ban on TikTok.
Trump, who previously advocated for a TikTok ban while in office, recently posted on Truth Social, “If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!”
Interestingly, Trump’s stance on TikTok has shifted since leaving the White House. In 2020, he issued an executive order calling for ByteDance to divest from TikTok, but the order was later blocked by federal judges.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, also chimed in on the proposed TikTok ban, aligning with Trump’s viewpoint.
TikTok responded to the bill’s advancement, claiming that it is an outright ban that infringes on the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans and harms small businesses. The app urged its users to contact their congressmen and voice their opposition to the legislation.
Despite the controversy, the White House has signaled its support for a potential TikTok ban, even as President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign utilizes the app to reach potential voters.
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What are the criteria for considering an app “controlled by a foreign adversary” according to the bill?
Ockquote> According to the bill, an app is considered “controlled by a foreign adversary” if it meets the following criteria:
- The app is owned or controlled by a foreign entity that is subject to the control of a foreign adversary.
- The app has access to personal data of users located in the United States, or has the ability to conduct surveillance on users located in the United States.
- The app poses a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
TikTok, with its 800 million active users worldwide, has come under scrutiny due to concerns about its data collection practices and its ties to the Chinese government. Critics argue that the app collects a vast amount of personal data from users, including location information, device information, and browsing history, which may be shared with the Chinese government. These concerns have led to calls for bans or other restrictions on the app in multiple countries, including the United States.
Supporters of the bill argue that banning TikTok is necessary to protect national security. They claim that the Chinese government could use the app to collect sensitive information on US citizens, including government officials and military personnel, for intelligence purposes. They also express concerns about the app’s potential for spreading misinformation and propaganda.
However, opponents of the bill argue that banning TikTok would infringe on free speech rights and set a dangerous precedent for government regulation of social media platforms. They believe that there are already existing mechanisms in place, such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to review and address any potential national security concerns related to foreign ownership of companies.
The Impact on Users and Businesses
If the bill becomes law and TikTok is banned in the United States, it would have a significant impact on the app’s users and the businesses that rely on the platform for marketing and advertising. TikTok has become immensely popular, particularly among younger users, and has emerged as a platform for content creators, influencers, and businesses to reach a wide audience.
Banning TikTok would also have economic consequences, as ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is estimated to be worth over $100 billion. The app’s ban would likely lead to job losses and financial losses for the company and its employees.
The Future of the Bill
The bill will now move to the House floor for further debate and a vote. If it passes the House, it will then need to be approved in the Senate before it can become law. However, it remains to be seen whether the bill will gain enough support to pass both chambers of Congress.
Even if the bill becomes law, it is uncertain whether a complete ban on TikTok is the most effective solution to address national security concerns. Some argue that a more nuanced approach, such as increased oversight or restrictions on data collection, may be a more balanced and effective approach.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear – the fate of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. The potential ban raises questions about the regulation of social media platforms, national security concerns, and the impacts on users and businesses. Only time will tell what the outcome will be.
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