Biden Backs Legislation For TikTok Ban in US Despite Opposition
Bill to Impose TikTok Ban in US Gaining Momentum!
Legislation that would outlaw the well-known video-sharing software TikTok in the US has the backing of President Joe Biden.The move comes as his predecessor, Donald Trump, expressed reservations about such a ban.
(Also read Bank Holidays Confirmed as St. Patrick’s Day Approaches.)
The Implications and Controversies Surrounding the Proposed TikTok Ban in US
The proposed legislation, which was unanimously approved by the US House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee, calls for China’s ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, to divest its ownership of the app or face a ban in the US.
The bill is set to be voted on in the House next week, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass. When asked about the legislation, President Biden stated, “If they pass it, I’ll sign it.” But the Senate’s decision on the bill is still up in the air since some senators are demanding changes.
In contrast to the current president’s stance, former President Trump voiced his objections to a TikTok ban in US. Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump argued that a ban on TikTok would only benefit rival social media giant Facebook. It is worth noting that Trump’s administration previously sought to ban TikTok in 2020 but faced legal challenges that prevented the ban from going into effect.
The Justice Department has recommended a divestiture bill rather than an outright ban, citing stronger legal grounds for the government. Vice President Mike Pence, who supported the House legislation, stated that he believed “China is harming the minds of American youngsters.”
Should the bill be approved, ByteDance would have 165 days to sell its TikTok shares. Failure to comply would result in app stores, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play, being prohibited from offering TikTok or providing web hosting services to ByteDance-controlled applications.
TikTok has been the subject of worries regarding national security and data privacy recently. The app maintains its position that the proposed regulation violates Americans’ right to free speech by effectively outlawing the exchange of user data with the Chinese government.
The popularity of TikTok and the upcoming election year may pose challenges for the bill to gain approval in both the House and Senate. Notably, Biden’s campaign for reelection just joined TikTok, but Trump’s hasn’t.
While Biden’s administration has raised national security concerns regarding TikTok, the president’s support for the ban indicates a shift in policy from his predecessor. Whether the legislation will ultimately pass and how it will impact the future of TikTok in the United States remains to be seen.
