Washington, DC – The House is set to vote Wednesday on a bill that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok, a popular social media app used by approximately 170 million Americans. The bill aims to restrict TikTok from US app stores unless it separates from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, due to concerns over national security threats posed by potential data sharing with the Chinese government.
Lawmakers supporting the bill argue that ByteDance could be compelled by Chinese intelligence laws to share US app users’ data, prompting the need for the potential ban on TikTok. However, the bill faces resistance from different political factions, with former President Donald Trump expressing conflicting views on banning the platform, while Democrats are pressured by young progressives who favor TikTok as a preferred social media platform.
The measure is scheduled for an expedited vote in the House, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. It is expected to receive bipartisan support, but the legislation’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain. TikTok has launched a campaign within the app urging users to contact representatives in Washington to oppose the bill, resulting in an influx of calls to congressional offices.
If the bill passes, ByteDance would have approximately five months to sell TikTok, or app store operators like Apple and Google would be prohibited from offering the app for download. Despite bipartisan support for the bill, some Republicans may find themselves in a difficult position due to Trump’s changing stance on banning TikTok.
In recent comments, Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher emphasized that the bill does not constitute a ban but instead places the onus on TikTok to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok has refuted claims that the legislation offers options for the app, asserting that the bill ultimately aims to ban TikTok in the US, infringing on users’ freedom of expression.
Efforts to pass the bill have also faced opposition from TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, who has sought last-minute meetings with members of Congress and accused lawmakers of misrepresenting the company’s campaign. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to holding a vote on the House’s TikTok bill, indicating uncertainty over the bill’s future in the Senate following an expected passage in the House.