The U.S. House of Representatives is set for a crucial vote tomorrow on a bill that could ban TikTok, the popular social media app, in the United States. This potential ban stems from concerns about TikTok’s ties to China.
The bill, formally named the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” was introduced earlier this month by a bipartisan duo of lawmakers – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.). The legislation gained momentum after it was unanimously passed by the House Energy and Commerce committee.
The bill’s aim is to restrict apps like TikTok, which are owned by companies potentially subject to foreign government influence. TikTok has been a vocal critic of the bill, arguing that it would infringe upon the free speech rights of millions of Americans. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) expressed disapproval of the committee’s vote on the bill.
The House will vote on the bill under a special procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. This vote has the potential to significantly impact the upcoming U.S. elections, national security concerns, the social media landscape as a whole, small businesses that rely on the platform, and American youth who are major users of TikTok.
Interestingly, there seems to be a split within the Republican Party regarding the ban. Former President Trump, who previously advocated for a TikTok ban during his term, has surprisingly come out against the current bill. His reasoning? He believes a ban would benefit Facebook, a company he considers unfriendly.
The outcome of this vote holds significant weight for TikTok, its users, and the future of social media in the United States. More updates coming soon.
