Efforts to compel TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest the social media app or face a ban in the U.S. gained momentum in Congress on Thursday, with the House of Representatives scheduling a vote for Saturday and a prominent Senate Democrat expressing support for the initiative.
The House, under Republican control, integrated the measure into a comprehensive $95 billion legislative package aimed at providing assistance to allies such as Ukraine and Israel, marking a remarkable advancement in Washington’s long-standing campaign.
TikTok (Credits: CNET)
The proposed bill, which grants ByteDance a year to offload the short-video app, received the endorsement of U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell, outstandingly bolstering its prospects of enactment into law.
Previously, a House-passed bill with bipartisan backing only afforded ByteDance a six-month window for divestment.
Concerns over national security risks posed by TikTok, including the potential for China to access the data of its 170 million U.S. users, have driven many lawmakers and President Joe Biden’s administration to advocate for action. However, TikTok maintains that it has never shared U.S. data and opposes the proposed measures.
Cantwell, initially hesitant about the legislation, expressed her full support for the revised version incorporated into the House package negotiated by Speaker Mike Johnson. She emphasized the importance of extending the divestment period to allow for adequate time for a potential buyer to finalize a deal.
TikTok (Credits: The New Republic)
In response, TikTok criticized the House’s decision, labeling it as unfortunate and asserting that restrictions on the app would infringe upon users’ First Amendment rights to free speech. The company also highlighted the impact on the approximately 7 million American businesses that utilize the platform.
Cantwell, echoing her previous statements, reiterated her desire for robust legislation to address concerns surrounding foreign apps, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and legally sound approach.
