By The Financial District
Mar 81 min
A bill potentially leading to the unavailability of the popular video-sharing app TikTok in the US has gained significant traction in the Lower House.
Lawmakers express concerns about the platform's potential surveillance and manipulation of Americans. I Photo: Solen Feyissa Flickr
Lawmakers express concerns about the platform's potential surveillance and manipulation of Americans. The measure, supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, advanced out of committee in a unanimous bipartisan vote of 50-0.
While the White House has provided technical support in drafting the bill, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre notes that the legislation requires further refinement for President Joe Biden's endorsement.
The bill entails ByteDance Ltd., the Beijing-based owner of TikTok, to divest the app within 180 days of enactment or face prohibition in the US. Additionally, it establishes a process allowing the executive branch to restrict access to apps owned by foreign adversaries if deemed a national security threat.