TikTok could disappear in the US after the House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill requiring the social network to divest itself of its Chinese owner, ByteDance. If TikTok refuses to do so, its use will be banned in the country.
Although this process could take a long time, the mere fact that this first session began unanimously paints a bleak picture for the social network . Let's learn more about what happened, what the demands are, and why the US wants to eliminate TikTok within its borders.
TikTok is at risk of disappearing in the US
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee overwhelmingly approved a legislative proposal requiring TikTok to divest itself of its Chinese parent company, ByteDance . Failure to comply would result in a complete ban from the United States. In this initial debate, the proposal passed with 50 votes in favor and none against.
Despite being a promising start toward shutting down TikTok in the United States, the measure is not yet final, as the process still has a long way to go . Some of the steps require the proposal to be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as government support.
For her part, Karine Jean-Pierre, a spokesperson for the White House, has expressed this support and from the Lower House the leaders of the Republican party want to put this project to a vote as soon as possible.
Why does the US want to eliminate TikTok in its territory?
The main reason the US wants to ban TikTok is due to national security concerns . This is the position taken by Representatives Mike Gallagher (Republican) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat), who introduced this pre-approval bill.
The law clearly states that "if TikTok remains owned by ByteDance, a company controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, it poses a serious threat to national security ." In response, ByteDance commented that the law is being interpreted as "a disguised method to prohibit the use of TikTok in the United States."
If the law is passed, the main victims would be both TikTok users in the United States and its content creators . However, these kinds of proposals and laws against the social network are not new.
It's worth remembering that during Donald Trump 's presidency, a legal mechanism was attempted to prevent the platform from continuing to operate in the United States, almost for the same reasons of national security. With the arrival of President Joe Biden, this proposal was withdrawn , leaving the waters calm for the social network.
Technology companies not founded in the US may be feeling some apprehension right now. Should the proposed legislation pass and become law, it could affect other foreign apps as well.
From another perspective, this initiative could be the start of a robust debate about the power these platforms wield. It could also help us better understand how they might compromise national security and whether the measures should be as drastic as those imposed on TikTok. What are your thoughts on this proposed law?