The US House of Representatives recently approved a significant bill that could potentially result in the banning of TikTok within America.
The legislation requires ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its controlling stake within six months, failing which the app would be blocked in the US. Although the bill garnered bipartisan support in the House, it must still navigate the Senate and gain the president’s signature to become law.
Concerns over Chinese influence on TikTok have long troubled lawmakers. ByteDance, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Beijing with registered offices in the Cayman Islands, operates globally, including in Europe and the US.
President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to sign the bill if it reaches his desk, potentially straining diplomatic relations with China.
Notably, the forced divestiture would require approval from Chinese authorities, who have expressed strong opposition.
Republican lawmaker Mike Gallagher emphasized the national security risks of allowing a Chinese-controlled platform in the US. Despite TikTok’s assurances of data security measures, reports suggest data leaks between US and Chinese operations, fueling concerns about privacy and national security.
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