US Lawmakers Consider Legislative Proposal for TikTok’s Future

US authorities are paying close attention to the rising popularity of TikTok, prompting the House of Representatives to deliberate a legislative proposal. This proposal would either enforce the sale of TikTok or completely ban the platform due to concerns over potential data sharing with the Chinese government and the spread of propaganda.

Addressing Security Concerns

Lawmakers have long expressed concerns over the security and data privacy of TikTok, highlighting its potential threat to US national security. The primary concern being the platform’s connection with its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, and the possibility of collaboration with the Chinese government.

Legislative Measures

The new legislative proposal, unanimously endorsed by the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce, follows months of efforts and discussions by American lawmakers. This proposal has attracted potential buyers’ interest and raised questions about the US’s most popular app. President Joe Biden has already signaled his readiness to sign the bill, improving its chances of success.

TikTok’s attempts to mobilize public opinion against the proposal, encouraging users to reach out to their congressional representatives, ironically bolstered the legislation’s supporters’ conviction. This decisive step took TikTok’s administration by surprise, with insiders not anticipating how quickly and successfully the proposal would be adopted.

Proposed Ultimatum

The proposal’s crux is an ultimatum aimed at ByteDance: sell the short-video platform TikTok or face application blocking in the App Store and Play Market. Following the law’s enactment, ByteDance would have six months to meet these conditions. According to TikTok representatives, such measures equate to a full ban on its app, threatening its appeal.

Industry Interest

The situation has garnered the attention of prominent players in the American technology and media market. Among them is Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision, who has expressed interest in purchasing TikTok. Informal conference chats explored how TikTok could potentially interface with artificial intelligence (AI) training.

TikTok’s Response

TikTok is exploring several strategies to counteract the proposal, including influencing the US Senate, where some senators have already expressed concerns about potential restrictions on freedom of speech and interference in business. If both houses of Congress pass the bill and the President signs it, the company could contest it based on a First Amendment violation, akin to challenging the app’s ban in Montana.