House Votes Overwhelmingly to Ban TikTok in US Unless Chinese Parent Company ByteDance Sells Stake

By John Lopez

Mar 13, 2024 01:29 PM EDT

The United States House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to force TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, to cut ties with its parent company, ByteDance, or face a national ban.

The bipartisan legislation, titled the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," garnered broad support, with 352 votes in favor and only 65 opposed. This demonstrates the urgency felt by lawmakers regarding the national security risks associated with TikTok's ownership.

Chinese Ownership Of TikTok Under Scrutiny Of U.S. Lawmakers, As Congress To Vote On Bill To Force Sale Of The Social Media App — NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 13: In this photo illustration, the TikTok app is seen in the app store on a phone on March 13, 2024 in New York City. Congress is set to vote and pass a bill that could ban the popular app TikTok nationwide and be sent to the Senate for a vote. The bill would force the Chinese firm ByteDance to divest from TikTok and other applications that it owns within six months after passage of the bill or face a ban. Lawmakers argue that ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government making the app a national security threat.
(Photo : Photo Illustration by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

TikTok Bill Passes House Following Biden Endorsement

The decision comes after years of unsuccessful negotiations and growing concerns about the potential for Chinese government interference through ByteDance.

Despite TikTok's reassurances that it has not shared US user data with the Chinese government, lawmakers remained unconvinced, prompting the lightning offensive to address what they perceive as a threat to American freedoms.

President Biden's endorsement of the bill provided momentum, highlighting bipartisan efforts to confront the issue. However, its fate now rests in the Senate, where concerns have been raised about potential constitutional infringements on free expression and the targeting of a specific business entity.

While incorporated in the US and headquartered in Los Angeles, TikTok has long been under scrutiny due to its ties to Beijing-based ByteDance. Efforts to alleviate security concerns have failed to satisfy lawmakers, leading to the rapid progression of the legislation.

The bill aims to compel ByteDance to divest from TikTok, with severe consequences if it fails to comply, potentially resulting in a nationwide ban on the app.

Concerns Over National Security Pushes TikTok Ban Bill

The House's swift action contrasts with previous legislative attempts to regulate tech companies, reflecting a growing sense of urgency surrounding national security threats posed by foreign-controlled applications.

"I have consistently said that TikTok is a national security threat. I co-led this important legislation to stop CCP-owned TikTok from continuing to infect our society and poison the minds of young Americans with pro-Communist China propaganda," Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said in a statement.

FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the risks, stating, "Americans need to ask themselves whether they want to give the Chinese government the ability to control access to their data." However, TikTok has vehemently denied allegations of espionage, accusing the US of running a disinformation campaign.

Despite the House's decisive vote, the bill's journey through the Senate is expected to face obstacles. Concerns have been raised about singling out a specific company and potential violations of the First Amendment.

TikTok's massive user base has mobilized against the legislation, inundating congressional offices with calls to oppose the ban. Additionally, the stance of former President Trump, who previously signed an executive order targeting TikTok but later reversed his support, remains uncertain and could influence Republican support in the Senate.

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