In a resounding 360-58 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives has once again signaled its determination to address national security risks posed by the popular social media app TikTok. The bill mandates ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to divest the platform within a nine-month window, significantly extending the previous timeline. This move aims to mitigate concerns over data privacy and potential Chinese government influence.
Efforts to regulate TikTok date back to the Trump administration, and while previous attempts faced Senate resistance, this revamped bill has garnered bipartisan support. Notably, Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell has voiced approval, citing the extended timeline as a crucial factor in facilitating the divestiture process.
The legislation's inclusion in a broader foreign aid package, alongside measures supporting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, underscores its strategic importance. By tying the TikTok issue to urgent foreign policy concerns, House Speaker Mike Johnson aims to expedite Senate deliberations.
ByteDance's response underscores the stakes involved, with the company condemning the bill as a threat to free speech rights and business interests. However, proponents argue that the legislation is not a ban but rather a necessary step to address ByteDance's ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
As the bill heads to the Senate, scheduling conflicts during the Passover break may complicate swift action. Nevertheless, President Joe Biden has signaled his support, indicating a potential showdown between the executive and judicial branches if TikTok chooses to challenge the legislation in court.