House lawmakers voted on Wednesday to pass legislation that could potentially ban TikTok in the United States, citing concerns from both Republicans and Democrats that the popular video-sharing app owned by a China-based company poses a national security threat. The bill passed with a vote of 352-65, with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, voting present. The Senate will now consider the bill, although there is less urgency for immediate action.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed the view that China is a major geopolitical adversary of the U.S. and is using technology to undermine American interests. He warned that TikTok could be used to access American data and spread harmful information. The bipartisan nature of the vote highlights Congress’ united front against foreign interference.
Despite the majority support for the bill, there were dissenting voices from both sides of the aisle. Democrats like Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, and Ruben Gallego, as well as Republicans like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, voted against the legislation. Concerns were raised about potential impacts on free speech and small businesses that rely on TikTok.
The legislation, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, aims to designate certain social media applications under the control of foreign adversaries as national security threats. This would require such apps to sever ties with foreign entities within a specified timeframe to avoid being banned from app stores and web-hosting services. The bill specifically targets TikTok, following concerns raised by intelligence officials about data privacy and potential foreign influence.
TikTok, through its parent company ByteDance, has vehemently opposed the bill, arguing that it infringes on First Amendment rights and would harm small businesses that depend on the platform. Despite lobbying efforts, the bill sailed through the House, increasing pressure on the Senate to take action. President Joe Biden has signaled his support for the bill, should it reach his desk.
The ongoing debate over TikTok reflects broader concerns about foreign influence in social media and online platforms. The passage of this legislation underscores the bipartisan efforts to address national security threats posed by foreign-controlled apps. The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain as lawmakers navigate the complex intersection of technology, national security, and free speech.
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