A bipartisan coalition of U.S. legislators has put forward a proposal that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban. The legislation, introduced with cross-party support, mandates the app’s parent company, ByteDance, to relinquish ownership within six months to continue operations in the U.S.
Key Highlights:
- Bipartisan Bill: Reflecting a unified concern over national security, the bill has garnered support from both sides of the aisle.
- Deadline for Divestment: ByteDance faces a 165-day ultimatum to sell TikTok or face a comprehensive ban.
- No Impact on Users: The proposed legislation ensures individual users are not targeted for enforcement.
- Presidential Powers: The bill would grant the President authority to act against apps tied to foreign adversaries.
The move underscores escalating worries about the potential for user data misuse by foreign entities. TikTok, a platform with over 170 million American users, has repeatedly assured that it does not share U.S. data with the Chinese government. However, these assurances have not alleviated legislative concerns.
The White House has expressed its approval of the bill, emphasizing a commitment to bolstering its legal foundation. In contrast, the American Civil Liberties Union has criticized the move as an infringement on First Amendment rights.
The bill is set for initial deliberations at the Energy and Commerce Committee hearing this Thursday.
