House Panel Advances Legislation to Potentially Ban TikTok Amid National Security Concerns

The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved a bill on Thursday that could potentially result in the banning of TikTok in the U.S. over national security concerns. The legislation, introduced by members of Congress, including Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi, targets TikTok due to its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The bill would give ByteDance a deadline of 165 days to sell TikTok, failing which app store operators like Apple and Google would be prohibited from distributing the app. The proposed law has sparked a debate, with some arguing that it is essential for national security while others see it as infringing on free speech rights.

TikTok, which boasts millions of American users, has been at the center of a political and security debate, with concerns raised that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. This latest move by lawmakers marks a significant escalation in efforts to address these concerns and protect American data.

The White House has expressed support for the bill, indicating a growing bipartisan consensus on the need to address the security risks posed by foreign-owned apps. However, TikTok has been vocal in its opposition, launching a campaign urging users to contact their representatives to oppose the potential ban.

Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Computer and Communications Industry Association have also weighed in, highlighting the potential implications on free speech and the broader tech industry. The bill’s passage through the energy committee sets the stage for further deliberations and potential legislative action in the House and Senate.