US House of Representatives approves potential ban on TikTok | Global News

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Saturday that could potentially ban TikTok in the United States if the Chinese-owned social media platform does not sell its stake within a year. The decision to include TikTok in a larger foreign aid package was fast-tracked after facing earlier delays in the Senate. The bill, which passed by a vote of 360-58, will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

Despite the House’s decision, TikTok will likely challenge the legislation in court, arguing that it violates the First Amendment rights of its millions of users. The company has been lobbying against the ban, urging its 170 million US users to voice their opposition to Congress. However, lawmakers have expressed concerns about Chinese threats to national security, leading to the swift passage of the bill.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew reassured users in a video message, promising to continue fighting for the platform. The ban on TikTok is unprecedented as Congress has historically taken a hands-off approach to tech regulation. The move reflects broader concerns about China’s influence and potential data security risks associated with the popular app.

While the US government has not provided evidence of TikTok sharing user data with the Chinese government, the company has a history of successfully challenging legal actions against its operations in the US. Previous attempts to ban TikTok by former President Donald Trump were blocked by federal courts on grounds of free speech and due process rights.

As the bill moves to the Senate, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain. The company’s legal challenges and the potential impact on its millions of users will be closely watched as the debate over national security and data privacy continues to unfold.