Reps. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi criticized TikTok for its use of a pop-up notification campaign urging users to call Congress about a bill that would force the app’s parent company to divest or face a ban in the U.S.
The lawmakers called the campaign deceptive and accused TikTok of trying to deceive the American people about the legislation.
TikTok responded by defending its actions, saying it is important for Americans to be informed about the bill and that it will continue to educate its users about the issue.
TikTok App (Credits: Axios)
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced plans to bring the bill to a floor vote, and President Biden has indicated he would sign it if passed by Congress.
The bill, titled the “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” specifically targets TikTok as a foreign adversary controlled app and requires ByteDance to divest TikTok within 165 days or face a ban.
TikTok Saga of a Woman’s Ex-husband (Credits: USA Today)
The bill also allows for other apps with ties to Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea to be designated for similar treatment.
TikTok has strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it is designed to lead to a total ban of TikTok in the U.S. The company has been vocal in its opposition to the legislation, arguing that it unfairly targets TikTok and threatens its operations in the country.
