A bill seeking to ban TikTok in the United States is swiftly advancing through Congress, catching the social media giant by surprise, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal.
Legislative Action in Motion
Sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, the proposed bill aims to compel Chinese company ByteDance to divest TikTok to non-Chinese entities or face expulsion from the US market. Despite TikTok’s monitoring of the legislation, its rapid progress through the House, including unanimous approval by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has raised eyebrows within the company.
Presidential Response and Public Opinion
Should the bill pass the House, it will move to the Senate, edging closer to President Joe Biden’s desk. Despite his personal use of the app, President Biden has indicated his willingness to sign the ban. However, such a move may alienate a significant portion of TikTok’s user base, with polling data indicating widespread opposition to the ban among daily app users.
TikTok’s Defensive Stance
Anticipating the bill’s passage, TikTok has decried the potential ban as an infringement on Americans’ constitutional right to free expression. The company foresees detrimental impacts on businesses, artists, and creators nationwide should the ban be enacted, emphasizing the importance of user engagement in opposing the legislation.
Uncertain Senate Prospects
While the bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain, opposition from Republican senators like Rand Paul and Lindsay Graham, along with public figures like former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, has complicated the path forward. Some Democrats have also called for a broader focus on data privacy concerns encompassing other tech giants like Meta and Google.
Acquisition Speculations
Amidst the legislative turmoil, rumors swirl regarding potential acquisitions of TikTok by American business leaders. Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick purportedly approached ByteDance cofounder Zhang Yiming regarding a buyout, signaling interest from industry insiders in securing the app’s future.
TikTok’s Defensive Measures
In response to mounting legislative pressure, TikTok has mobilized its user base, urging them to voice opposition to the proposed ban by contacting their representatives. As the battle over TikTok’s fate intensifies, the platform braces for the next phase of its regulatory challenges.
