The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill on Wednesday, requiring TikTok to separate from its Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States.
With 352 votes in favor and 65 against, bipartisan unity prevailed in the politically divided capital.
The proposed law poses a significant challenge to TikTok, which has gained worldwide popularity but raised concerns about its Chinese ownership and potential ties to the Beijing government.
Although the bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain due to apprehension from some key figures, President Joe Biden has signaled his intention to sign it into law if it reaches his desk.
Named the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” the legislation mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app within 180 days or risk removal from US app stores.
Furthermore, it grants the president authority to designate other apps as national security threats if controlled by adversarial nations.
TikTok executives were surprised by the renewed scrutiny from Washington, especially after President Biden recently joined the app.
CEO Shou Zi Chew is actively lobbying in Washington to halt the bill’s progress.
Critics, including TikTok’s vice president for public policy, Michael Beckerman, raise constitutional concerns over the swift legislative process without public hearings.
Despite China’s warning of repercussions and Republican lawmakers’ unusual defiance against former President Donald Trump’s position, the bill gained bipartisansupport.
Trump, who previously sought to control TikTok but faced legal challenges, recently changed his stance against a ban, citing concerns over strengthening competitors like Meta.
Nevertheless, skepticism remains about the bill’s passage in the Senate, with Representative Nancy Mace, a Trump ally, expressing doubts about its necessity.
Past attempts to ban TikTok have faltered over free speech concerns, with state-level efforts facing legal hurdles.
TikTok asserts its independence from the Chinese government and emphasizes its data protection measures for US users.
