TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain once again.
Amidst a recent surge of activity in the House, TikTok is now facing renewed government efforts to sever its ties with Chinese ownership or potentially ban it from the country.
Although TikTok is headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore, it is owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance. This association has raised concerns among U.S. officials who fear that the app could be used to advance the interests of a foreign adversary.
Recent Developments:
This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a new bill aimed at pressuring ByteDance to sell TikTok.
The proposed legislation, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, seeks to prohibit the distribution of software with connections to U.S. adversaries, including entities like ByteDance in China. If passed, popular platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play would be prohibited from distributing TikTok in the U.S.
Furthermore, the bill mandates ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months to continue its operations in the U.S. It also grants the President oversight to ensure that the company no longer remains under foreign adversary control.
Following the rapid progress of the bill in Congress, TikTok launched an in-app message urging U.S. users to voice their concerns to their representatives.
In response to this, the bill passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee with a unanimous 50-0 vote. It is now expected to undergo a full House vote in the coming week.
Prior to the vote, committee members received a classified briefing from federal agencies at the request of the Biden administration.
Why is TikTok Considered a Threat?
While there is no public evidence of China exploiting data through TikTok, concerns persist regarding the potential for such actions. Chinese government actions with businesses and critics have fueled these suspicions.
FBI Director Chris Wray pointed out that China’s interference may go unnoticed by users, given the blurred lines between private and public sectors. TikTok has refuted these allegations, stressing that ByteDance operates independently of any national interests.
However, the lack of evidence supporting U.S. claims has led to divided opinions, with many viewing the crackdown on TikTok as a political maneuver in strained U.S.-China relations.
Next Steps:
The push to force ByteDance to divest TikTok originated during the Trump administration and has resurfaced under the Biden administration and Congress’s increased scrutiny of the app.
While President Biden signaled support for the new bill, its fate hinges on a full House vote and potential Senate approval. The legislation’s impact on TikTok’s vast user base and the broader implications for U.S.-China relations remain pivotal considerations.
In the event of a forced sale, TikTok is expected to mount a legal challenge, presenting a formidable obstacle to U.S. regulatory efforts.
As the political and legal battles unfold, TikTok’s influence, both in cultural and electoral realms, is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome.
