In an unprecedented move on March 8, President Joe Biden signaled his commitment to addressing national security concerns by supporting legislation aimed at ByteDance, the Chinese company behind the widely popular TikTok app. The proposed bill, set to be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives next week, received unanimous approval from a committee, underscoring bipartisan concerns about potential security risks associated with TikTok.
President Biden, a Democrat, asserted his willingness to sign the bill if it passes in the House. However, the legislative journey may face challenges in the Senate, where lawmakers are deliberating on potential amendments to ensure comprehensive and effective measures.
Interestingly, former President Donald Trump, a Republican eyeing a return to the White House, took an unexpected stance. Trump expressed reservations about banning TikTok, highlighting potential consequences for competitors like Facebook. This shift in perspective follows Trump’s previous clashes with Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), making the situation more intriguing.
The Justice Department recommended a divestiture approach to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, emphasizing its legal advantages over an outright ban. Notably, Mike Pence, former vice president under Trump, endorsed the legislation, echoing concerns about the influence of China on American youth.
The bill proposes a 165-day timeline for ByteDance to divest TikTok voluntarily. Failure to comply could result in major app stores, including Apple and Google, legally refraining from offering TikTok or hosting ByteDance-controlled applications.
Recalling Trump’s 2020 attempt to ban TikTok and WeChat, the current discourse in Congress presents a fresh narrative. Senator Rand Paul, previously a hurdle for a TikTok ban, referred to a $1.5 billion project addressing user concerns, challenging the current legislative direction.
TikTok, maintaining its stance on data privacy, argues that the proposed legislation effectively amounts to a ban, posing a threat to the free expression rights of its 170 million American users.
Given TikTok’s widespread popularity and the intricate legislative landscape, navigating approval in both the House and Senate during an election year presents a formidable task. Adding a twist to the story, both President Biden’s and Trump’s re-election campaigns have engaged with TikTok, with Biden’s campaign recently joining the platform. Interestingly, Trump’s campaign has yet to make a foray into the TikTok sphere.