TikTok Ban: US House of Representatives Approves Outlaw Move

Social media platform TikTok faces the possibility of a ban with the new bill that the United States House of Representatives has passed. 

TikTok Outlaw Bill Heads To The Senate

On Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that could permanently kick TikTok out nationwide by 2025. If this becomes the reality, the app may be delisted from App Stores nationwide.

The proposed bill was passed after it received 360 Yes in its favor and 58 No against it. The approval included some funding, about $60.8 billion, to Ukraine in the form of a loan while also approving the U.S. to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine’s war efforts.

This comes amidst growing concerns about the national security and privacy risks that proponents of the bill claims the video-sharing platform poses. TikTok is now required to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance within the next 270 days, or face a nationwide ban. 

This bill appears to have better terms compared to the previous one passed by the House last month which would have given ByteDance only six months to sell.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash was one of those who pushed for an extension of the initial six months to a year. She cited the need to “ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done.” 

Notably, the bill is now headed to the U.S. Senate where it may also be passed according to reports. President of the U.S. Joe Biden could decide to extend this given window by another 90 days. However, he previously stated without doubt that he would append his signature on the bill once it arrived at his desk. 

Top Leaders Speak Against TikTok Ban

Many high-profile figures across different sectors have spoken against the TikTok ban. 

Donald Trump, a former U.S. President tried to ban TikTok four years ago by enforcing an executive action. In a plot twist, he is now opposing the new decision to ban the video-sharing app but maintaining his stance that TikTok is a national security threat.

Though it appears that Trump may have changed his stance to boost his position in the forthcoming November elections as a Republican Candidate, other individuals do not also support the ban.

Tesla and X owner Elon Musk also opposed the U.S. TikTok ban, citing concerns about free speech as Congress debated the legislation linked to national security. He went on to highlight the benefits of the platform including the big economic contribution that TikTok brings into the U.S. each year.