The House approved a legislation on Wednesday that could potentially result in a complete prohibition of the highly popular video platform TikTok if its Chinese parent company refuses to divest its ownership, due to concerns that its current structure poses a threat to national security.

The legislation was approved with a 352-65 vote and will now move to the Senate, with its outcome uncertain.

TikTok, which has more than 170 million American users, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.

The legislators argue that ByteDance is under the control of the Chinese government, which may request access to the personal information of TikTok users in the United States at any given moment. This concern arises from a series of Chinese laws related to national security, which require companies to cooperate with gathering intelligence.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash, stated that TikTok has been presented with a distinct decision. They can either break away from their parent company ByteDance, who is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and continue operating in the US, or align with the CCP and face the repercussions. The choice ultimately lies with TikTok.

Passage of the bill in the House is simply the initial phase. In order for it to be enacted as a law, it must also be passed by the Senate, and lawmakers in that branch have stated that it will undergo a comprehensive evaluation. Chuck Schumer, the Majority Leader of the Senate and a representative from New York, stated that he will need to confer with the appropriate committee chairs to determine the bill’s course.

If the bill is approved by Congress, President Joe Biden has stated that he will provide his signature.

Ex-president Trump has expressed opposition to the House’s actions, while his second-in-command, Mike Pence, is encouraging Schumer to schedule a vote on the House’s bill.

Pence wrote to Schumer stating that there is certainty that this application is operating as Chinese spyware, and that it would be most beneficial for the American people if it were sold to a domestic company rather than to a foreign adversary.

TikTok users express their disapproval throughout the United States.

Around 30 individuals, including TikTok content creators and their accompanying groups, expressed their opposition to the bill at the Capitol Building on Wednesday. They vocalized slogans such as “Save TikTok” prior to the vote. They also displayed posters declaring “TikTok improved my life” and “TikTok aided in the growth of my business.”

According to Roger Kornegay, a popular figure on TikTok, the app has been instrumental in assisting him and fellow influencers in North Carolina in growing their own businesses. This is due to the app’s broad outreach and the various brand deals they are able to endorse on the platform.

“Thanks to the opportunities presented by brand partnerships, we have been able to establish our own restaurant, contributing to our success,” he stated. “TikTok has proven to be the platform where one viral video can completely transform someone’s financial situation overnight.”

If the legislation is passed, Kornegay predicts that a large number of individuals will be forced to seek traditional employment due to the prohibition.

According to him, this platform serves to not only promote local businesses, but also the brand collaborations that we have forged.

According to Kornegay, numerous individuals will attempt to maintain their influence on social media through alternative platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Dan Salinger, a TikTok creator from Sacramento, California, who was present at the event, shared that he began making videos on the platform during the COVID-19 pandemic simply as a way to pass time. However, his account has since gained traction, featuring videos about his personal life and his father’s battle with dementia. As of today, he has amassed 2 million followers on the app.

“Salinger expressed his shock for multiple reasons,” stated Salinger. “The rapid pace in which this bill is being pushed through does not allow enough opportunity for Americans to share their concerns and opinions.”

and EU

The tension between the United States, China, and European Union is increasing.

The recent House vote is a prime illustration of heightened animosity between the United States and China. Lawmakers are now focusing on addressing what they believe to be a significant danger to America’s safety: TikTok. This action also sets the spotlight on a platform that has gained massive popularity amongst millions, particularly the younger generations, just a few months before a crucial election.

According to Alex Haurek, spokesperson for TikTok, the bill was hastily passed through a covert procedure.

“We have optimism that the Senate will take into account the evidence, listen to their constituents, and understand the repercussions on the economy, 7 million small enterprises, and the 170 million individuals who utilize our service,” stated Haurek.

Before the vote, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, accused the United States of using political tactics when American businesses are unable to compete. He warned that this action would disrupt usual business activities and damage investors’ trust, ultimately leading to negative consequences for the U.S. itself.

In total, the measure received support from 197 Republican legislators and was opposed by 15. On the Democratic side, 155 voted in favor of the bill while 50 voted against it.

Some Republican critics of the legislation suggested that the U.S. should notify consumers about potential data privacy and propaganda issues, but ultimately the decision should be in the hands of consumers.

Representative Tom McClintock from California stated that the solution to authoritarianism is not to become even more authoritarian. He also emphasized that using oppressive tactics similar to those employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not the answer to countering their propaganda. He urged for careful consideration before taking any actions that could lead us down a treacherous and dangerous path.

Democrats also warned of the impact a ban would have on users in the U.S., including entrepreneurs and business owners. One of the no votes came from Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee.

According to Himes, a major contrast between ourselves and our opponents is that they block newspapers, TV channels, and online platforms. In contrast, we allow our citizens to have faith in their democratic rights and do not rely on the government to regulate their access to information.

The Biden administration’s top national security officials met with lawmakers in a closed briefing the day prior to the House vote, to discuss the implications of TikTok on national security. Lawmakers are considering both security concerns and the importance of preserving free speech online.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, who wrote the bill, stated after the briefing that their aim was to carefully and intentionally address the issue of TikTok’s divestiture without giving the executive branch power to control content or target any American companies.

TikTok has consistently denied allegations that it could be utilized as a means of the Chinese government. They have reiterated that they have never disclosed American user information to Chinese officials and will not comply if requested. So far, the U.S. government has not presented any proof of TikTok sharing such data with Chinese authorities.

Following its introduction by Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill last week, Republican leaders wasted no time in pushing for the bill. Despite facing overwhelming pressure from TikTok users urging them to abandon the effort, a House committee unanimously approved the legislation with a 50-0 vote. Some offices were even forced to turn off their phones due to the large influx of calls. Ultimately, advocates for the bill claim that the tactic actually ended up working in their favor.

According to Gallagher, the demonstration showed members how the platform could potentially be used to spread false information within our system.

Both Democrats and Republicans are eager to address various concerns with China. The House established a specific committee to address matters pertaining to China, while Schumer instructed committee leaders to collaborate with Republicans in creating a bipartisan bill focused on competition with China.

There may be internal pressure for Schumer to take action on the TikTok legislation from his own party. Following the House vote, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark Warner stated his intention to ensure the bill is approved by the Senate and signed into law.

Senator Marco Rubio, the leading Republican on the intelligence committee, and I released a statement expressing our shared concerns about the potential national security risks associated with TikTok. We both recognize the significant impact and divisive capabilities of this platform and the legal obligation of its parent company, ByteDance, to comply with the demands of the Chinese Communist Party.

Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who leads another committee with authority on the matter, stated that she will endeavor to discover an approach that is in line with the Constitution and safeguards civil rights.

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This report was aided by the contributions of Didi Tang, a staff writer for the Associated Press, and Aaron Thomas, a reporter for WRAL News.

Source: wral.com