The US House of Representatives is gearing up to vote on a bill that would compel ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, to divest the popular short-video app within approximately six months or face a ban. This move comes amid mounting concerns over national security and data privacy issues associated with the app.
Scheduled for a vote around 10 am under fast-track rules requiring support from two-thirds of House members, the bill's progression follows a swift trajectory, with little debate and one public hearing. The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted in favor of the bill, setting the stage for the full House vote.
Ahead of the vote, House members received a classified briefing from the FBI, the Justice Department, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. This briefing aimed to provide further insight into the potential risks posed by TikTok's Chinese ownership, particularly concerning American families.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to visit Capitol Hill on the same day as the vote to engage with senators, a move that underscores the significance of the legislative action for the company.
While the bill is expected to pass in the House, some lawmakers, including Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost, have expressed concerns about the process and potential implications. Frost emphasized the need to protect users while also safeguarding First Amendment rights and supporting business owners and content creators.
The fate of the legislation remains uncertain in the US Senate, where some senators advocate for a different approach. However, President Joe Biden has indicated his willingness to sign the bill, highlighting the administration's focus on ending Chinese ownership of TikTok rather than outright banning the platform.
If passed, the bill would compel ByteDance to divest TikTok within 165 days. Failure to do so would result in restrictions on app stores like Apple and Google from offering TikTok or providing web hosting services to ByteDance-controlled applications.
The legislative push echoes previous attempts by former President Donald Trump to ban TikTok, underscoring ongoing bipartisan concerns regarding the app's ownership and data-handling practices.
