U.S. Lawmakers Pass Bipartisan Bill That May Ban TikTok

Is TikTok Still Legal in the United States

As of this moment, TikTok users can access their accounts and enjoy the specially curated videos they see on their FYP (For You Page). However, this may not be the case for much longer. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington state, passed a bill this week that sounded the alarm on TikTok's loose privacy practices — and the company may face some serious consequences as a result. The proposal that is on the table is for TikTok's parent company to sell — or else the app will be banned in America. Although these measures may seem extreme to some, many security experts in the U.S. government have been emphatic about the security risk posed by TikTok.

A Rare Bipartisan Moment in U.S. Politics

Although the United States is still roiling from deep political divisions, it would appear that this TikTok bill has gained serious traction on both sides of the aisle. A vote of 352-65 indicates just how serious lawmakers are when it comes to the apparent cybersecurity threats posed by TikTok. Now, the next step is for the bill to head to the Senate.

If Bill Passes, Biden Will Approve It

President Joe Biden has already signaled that he will approve the bill if it makes its way to him. Because it has been determined that TikTok is "under the control of foreign adversaries", the topic is being taken very seriously by leaders. FBI Director Christopher Wray has been leading the charge when it comes to TikTok, testifying that he has seen evidence that the Chinese government is using TikTok as a tool to spy on American citizens and gain the upper hand.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act

Although there are a few voices in the government bristling at the proposed bill due to a perceived loss of freedom of speech, others on the security end are arguing that these apps represent a whole new frontier. They insist that the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is designed to essentially protect citizens from themselves. In an environment in which countries such as North Korea, China, Iran and Russia are posing more intense threats than ever before, supporters of the bill are insisting that the United States must do everything it possibly can to stop the spread of unfettered access to its citizens' most private data.

The Bill Does Not Mention TikTok Specifically

Perhaps in a bid to emphasize that foreign apps may pose a security risk going forward — regardless of which apps they are — TikTok is not specifically named in the bill. Some lawmakers, such as Republican Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin, have also been insisting that TikTok users will have a better user experience once TikTok separates from its parent company, ByteDance. In Gallagher's view, ByteDance is too closely intertwined with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for comfort. Former Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, has also weighed in, emphasizing that she would prefer to keep TikTok around — but to ensure that it is not promoting the agenda of the Chinese government. For years, Pelosi has been sounding the alarm on China — and the congresswoman made history for visiting Taiwan. Citing concerns about TikTok posts she has seen — including those about people in Hong Kong "loving" that their votes have been suppressed — Pelosi has been championing a type of cautious optimism when it comes to TikTok.

Concerns Grow Amid Upcoming Presidential Election

With the 2024 election rapidly approaching in November, many lawmakers are concerned about TikTok's algorithm being employed to sway voters in the way that Chinese leaders would prefer for them to vote. As the 2016 election proved — with Cambridge Analytics involvement in Facebook — tactics like these can be extremely effective. Perhaps unsurprisingly, China has pushed back and insisted that those who are pushing the new bill are employing "bullying" tactics.

TikTok Pushes Back

Indeed, TikTok — and its many supporters in China — have launched a vociferous campaign to stop the progress of the impending bill. Wang Wenbin, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, has claimed that the United States has attempted to "suppress" TikTok without sufficient evidence that it is compromised. Meanwhile, TikTok has even taken to other platforms — such as X — to criticize the new bill and refer to it as a "ban". Meanwhile, TikTok spokesman Alex Haurek referred to the bill being "jammed through" by lawmakers. From all angles, it would appear that the

What Are the Next Steps for TikTok?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated that he will work with committee chairs to examine the bill once it arrives at the Senate. If the bill were passed by the Senate — and then on to President Biden — it would be approved. If TikTok, which boasts around 170 million users in the United States — is not willing to ditch its parent company, then the consequences will start to unfurl. Within 180 days, Americans will not be permitted to download or use the app. App stores such as Google and Apple will delete it from their offerings, and web hosting services will not support its usage. For frequent users, this will be a noticeable change in the social media landscape.

Lawmakers Insist That TikTok Will Be Given Adequate Time to Divest

Some critics have insisted that TikTok would not have adequate time to divest once the bill passed, but many lawmakers argue otherwise. Indeed, a former FTC chairman has even weighed in to state that there is more than enough time for TikTok to get out from underneath the control of its parent company. However, there is also a distinct possibility that the government of China will block the sale altogether. At this point, the only thing that seems certain is that the future of TikTok is poised to generate major waves either way it goes.