The legislation also creates a process that lets the executive branch prohibit access to other apps that pose a threat to national security.
TikTok once again finds itself in a precarious position.
This time, it comes in the form of legislation that would ban the popular social media platform if it doesn’t break ties with ByteDance, its Beijing-based parent company.
On Thursday, a House panel unanimously approved a bipartisan bill that would require the Chinese firm to divest TikTok and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment in order to avoid a nationwide ban. The legislation also creates a process that lets the executive branch prohibit access to other apps that pose a threat to national security.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced Thursday that he would bring the bill to the House floor for a vote next week. It’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled.
In a remark to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, President Joe Biden said “If they pass it, I’ll sign it.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Lawmakers from both parties have long expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering —which ByteDance would likely be subject to — and other far-reaching ways the country’s authoritarian government exercises control.
TikTok has long denied assertions that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it’s asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities.
