US House Approves Bill Threatening TikTok Ban Amid Trump's Opposition

The House passed a bill in a united manner on Wednesday that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok, a popular social media app.

The bill aims to block TikTok from US app stores unless it separates from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Around 170 million Americans use TikTok. The Senate's decision on the bill is still uncertain. The House vote showed strong support, with 352 in favor and 65 against, including 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans opposing the bill.

The TikTok logo is displayed outside TikTok social media app company offices in Culver City, California, on March 16, 2023.

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The TikTok logo is displayed outside TikTok social media app company offices in Culver City, California, on March 16, 2023.

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Lawmakers supporting the bill claim that TikTok poses a national security threat because the Chinese government could potentially use its laws to access data from US users through ByteDance.

There have been challenges in passing the bill due to various political factors. Former President Donald Trump, who previously supported banning TikTok, has now shown uncertainty in his stance. Additionally, Democrats are under pressure from young progressives who favor TikTok as their preferred social media platform. TikTok creators and Beijing have strongly criticized the upcoming vote, with China's foreign ministry labeling it as an act of bullying.

In a rare moment of agreement from both political parties, the bill passed unanimously through the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. President Joe Biden has expressed his support for the bill and has indicated that he would sign it into law if it reaches his desk.

The proposed bill requires ByteDance to sell TikTok within approximately five months. Failure to do so would result in app store operators like Apple and Google being prohibited from offering TikTok for download.

TikTok has described the legislation as a threat to users' constitutional right to freedom of expression. In response, they have initiated a campaign within the app encouraging users to contact their representatives in Washington to voice their opposition to the bill. This has resulted in a significant increase in calls to various congressional offices.

The legislation is now set to move to the Senate for further consideration.

TikTok responded to Wednesday's vote by stating that their focus will now be on the Senate, as the outcome of the legislation remains uncertain.

A spokesperson for TikTok expressed disappointment in the lack of transparency during the process and emphasized that the bill was rushed through with the intention of banning the app. They expressed hope that the Senate will take into account the facts, listen to the concerns of the public, and understand the potential repercussions on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who rely on their service.

The US House of Representatives is planning to vote on a bill that could potentially prohibit TikTok, a widely used social media platform with 170 million American users, unless it separates from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

Will Lanzoni/CNN

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I can't stop using TikTok. But now that the House has voted to ban it, what should I do? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not decided yet on the Senate's next move.

Schumer, a Democrat from New York, mentioned that the Senate will review the legislation passed by the House.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, and the panel’s top Republican, Marco Rubio of Florida, both expressed support for the House bill. They highlighted the strong showing in Wednesday’s vote and encouraged others to do the same.

"We are all worried about the national security risk that TikTok presents. This platform has a lot of influence and can create divisions among Americans. Its parent company, ByteDance, is obligated to follow the orders of the Chinese Communist Party," stated the bipartisan duo in their shared message.

Trump opposes the idea of banning TikTok.

When Trump was president, he was in favor of banning the app, but now it seems he has changed his mind. However, his statements have sometimes been confusing.

Recently, on Truth Social, Trump spoke out against a ban on TikTok. He argued that if TikTok was banned, Facebook would gain an advantage. He also criticized Facebook and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg as an "Enemy of the People."

In an interview with CNBC on Monday, Trump mentioned that deciding whether to ban TikTok in the US was a difficult choice. He also expressed his belief that removing TikTok would be advantageous for Facebook, stating that he felt Facebook had a negative impact on the country.

Trump highlighted his concerns about TikTok being a potential national security threat but also acknowledged that similar issues exist with companies like Facebook. He noted that despite these concerns, there are many TikTok users who genuinely enjoy the platform.

“There’s, you know, a lot of good, and there’s a lot of bad with TikTok,” Trump said.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who support the bill have argued that it is not a ban.

In recent remarks to the press, Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, who leads a House select committee on China, clarified that the bill is not a TikTok ban. He stated, "It’s not a ban. It puts the choice squarely in the hands of TikTok to sever their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. As long as ByteDance no longer owns the company, TikTok can continue to survive... the basic ownership structure has to change."

TikTok disagrees with lawmakers who think the new law would offer choices for the app. The company believes that the law is set to completely ban TikTok in the United States. According to a post on X, TikTok feels that the government is trying to take away the free speech rights of 170 million Americans. This could harm many businesses, prevent artists from reaching their audience, and ruin the livelihoods of numerous creators in the country.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, has been trying to set up last-minute meetings with members of Congress. The company sent letters to several House lawmakers on Monday, claiming that they have misunderstood TikTok’s call-to-action campaign. They believe it is disrespectful for lawmakers to ignore the opinions of constituents who have been flooding congressional offices with phone calls.

This story and headline have been revised to include more details.

CNN’s Lauren Fox, Kate Sullivan, Morgan Rimmer and Lauren Fox contributed.

Editor's P/S:

The proposed nationwide ban on TikTok has sparked a heated debate, with strong opinions on both sides. While some lawmakers and experts raise concerns about national security risks posed by the app's ties to China, others argue that it infringes on the constitutional right to freedom of expression. The bill's passage in the House with bipartisan support signals a growing consensus on the need to address potential threats, but its fate in the Senate remains uncertain.

The concerns over TikTok's data collection and potential influence by the Chinese government are not unfounded. The app's massive user base and data-rich environment make it a prime target for espionage or manipulation. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between protecting national security and safeguarding the rights of individuals. A complete ban on TikTok would not only deprive millions of Americans of a popular platform but also stifle innovation and creativity. The government should explore alternative measures, such as increased transparency and regulation, to mitigate potential risks without resorting to outright prohibition.