In a swift and unprecedented move, House lawmakers are pushing forward with a plan that could result in the banning of TikTok from the United States. The proposed legislation named the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," targets TikTok's China-linked parent company, ByteDance. Here's a breakdown of what this legislation means and the potential implications for TikTok and its millions of American users.
What Would the Bill Do?
If passed the bill would require TikTok to sever its ties with ByteDance, its Chinese parent company within approximately five months. Failure to do so would result in app stores in the United States being prohibited from hosting TikTok on their platforms. The bill also extends similar restrictions to any app allegedly controlled by foreign states, including China, Iran, Russia, or North Korea. Additionally, the bill sets up a process for the President to identify and ban apps deemed national security threats under the legislation.
TikTok's Response
TikTok has strongly opposed the legislation, labeling it as an attack on the First Amendment rights of its users. The company launched a campaign within its app, urging users to contact their representatives in Washington to oppose the bill. TikTok argues that the legislation would not only infringe on free expression but also harm millions of businesses and creators across the country.
Why Lawmakers Are Concerned
Lawmakers are concerned about the potential national security threats posed by TikTok, citing fears that the Chinese government could use its intelligence laws to access and exploit the data of U.S. TikTok users. While there is currently no public evidence that China has accessed TikTok user data, policymakers view this as a serious potential risk.
Key Differences From Previous Attempts
Unlike previous efforts, which were primarily driven by executive orders, this legislation represents a clear congressional initiative. This bill would provide new, legally sound authorities for the President to take action against foreign-owned social media apps. Furthermore, the bill's sponsors claim to have addressed previous First Amendment concerns, making it more likely to withstand legal challenges.
Can the Bill Pass?
The bill has received swift approval from the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is expected to be voted on by the full House soon. While it faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where some lawmakers have expressed concerns about its constitutionality, House leaders are optimistic about its chances. If passed, President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to sign the bill into law.
