The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill with overwhelming bipartisan support that could force ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell the popular app or risk being banned from app stores and web hosting platforms in the United States. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which passed with a 352-65 vote, now heads to the Senate, where it faces significant challenges despite the House’s decisive action.
The passage of the bill in the House comes during a time of growing concerns over TikTok’s connections to the Chinese government and the potential for Beijing to access the personal data of American users or spread disinformation through the app. Despite TikTok’s assurances that U.S. user data is stored domestically and that the app operates independently, lawmakers and the White House remain skeptical.
If the bill becomes law, ByteDance would be required to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets to a buyer approved by the government within six months. Failure to comply would result in the app being banned from distribution and updates on app stores and web hosting platforms in the United States. However, finding a suitable buyer for the immensely popular app, which has 170 million U.S. users, may prove difficult due to its high value and potential antitrust concerns.
TikTok has engaged in a robust lobbying campaign to influence lawmakers, mobilizing its content creators and users to advocate against the ban. The company argues that the bill infringes on free speech and could jeopardize the livelihoods of those who depend on the platform for income. Despite these efforts, the bill passed the House with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans.
As the bill moves to the Senate, it faces significant hurdles. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has indicated plans to obstruct the legislation due to constitutional concerns. Additionally, leading lawmakers on the Senate Commerce and Intelligence Committees have proposed competing measures to restrict TikTok’s access to U.S. consumers’ data and limit the Chinese government’s influence.
The battle over TikTok’s future in the United States remains unclear, the vote this morning serves as the first step in a long journey. The government will likely need to navigate uncharted waters, all the while dissuading and defending against lobbying efforts of the tech behemoth. What’s more, users wait cautiously to hear information on what will happen to their content, their followers and most importantly (for some), their revenue streams.
