Washington D.C., USA – President Biden reaffirmed his support for a bill making its way through Congress that could potentially lead to a nationwide ban on the popular social media app, TikTok. Biden’s statement at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland’s Prince George’s County may provide momentum for the bill, which saw swift advancement in a House committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote of 50-0. TikTok users mobilized by flooding congressional offices with calls to oppose the measure.
This bill represents the latest challenge to TikTok, a platform that has amassed 170 million downloads in the United States despite concerns about data security and its ties to China. While the bill itself wouldn’t directly ban TikTok, it would compel its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face potential restrictions that could prevent its availability on U.S. app stores.
Although the bill stands a chance for a house vote, it still requires companion legislation in the Senate before it can reach President Biden for approval. While the White House’s previous statements on the matter were more tentative, Biden’s clear support contrasts with his Republican rival, Donald Trump, who previously advocated for a TikTok ban but has since changed his stance.
Opponents of the bill, including civil liberties groups, argue that it could infringe on the free speech rights of TikTok’s millions of American users and may violate the Constitution. Past attempts at statewide bans on TikTok have been blocked in federal courts, emphasizing the constitutional challenges it poses.
As the debate continues in Congress, Senator Mark R. Warner expressed reservations about targeting specific companies in the legislation, indicating a cautious approach moving forward. TikTok itself has pushed back against the bill, with a spokesperson emphasizing the impact a ban would have on American businesses, artists, and creators if implemented.
In the midst of this controversy, the fate of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance as lawmakers deliberate on the potential impacts of the proposed legislation. Despite differing opinions and concerns raised by stakeholders, the ultimate decision regarding the future of TikTok lies in the hands of Congress and the Biden administration.