They want the Senate to approve as well.
The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at prohibiting TikTok nationwide until its Chinese parent company divests its ownership in the social media platform. The House, known for its partisan divisions, voted 352-65 in favor of the legislation, which targets the perceived threat posed by apps controlled by foreign adversaries like TikTok, as well as any future apps developed or provided by ByteDance Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
Advocates of the bill argue that ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is obligated under Chinese law to comply with government requests for data, raising concerns about potential surveillance of American citizens. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers emphasized that TikTok must choose between operating independently from its Chinese parent company or facing repercussions for its allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party.
Senator Josh Hawley, a vocal critic of TikTok, welcomed the House’s decision and urged the Senate to swiftly follow suit, citing national security concerns and the need to counter Chinese espionage. Meanwhile, Chinese officials denounced the move as an act of bullying, emphasizing the importance of fairness and justice in international relations.
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced plans to assemble an investor group to acquire TikTok, endorsing the legislation and highlighting the platform’s commercial potential. This comes amid growing bipartisan support for measures to restrict TikTok’s operations in the U.S., with Montana leading the way by passing a state law banning the app due to concerns about Chinese government surveillance.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, has refuted allegations of collaboration with the Chinese government, stressing the company’s American leadership and global presence. In congressional testimony, Chew emphasized TikTok’s adherence to U.S. laws and its commitment to protecting user data from unauthorized access by foreign governments.
The debate surrounding TikTok underscores broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, with concerns about data privacy, national security, and economic competition shaping legislative efforts to regulate technology companies with ties to China.
