House Of Reps Votes Overwhelmingly To Ban TikTok In The U.S.

The popular video-sharing application TikTok may be banned as a result of a measure that the U.S. House of Representatives passed on Wednesday, marking a momentous development with consequences for national security.

With 352 votes in favor and only 65 against, the decision demonstrates rising concern from both political parties over the app’s links to China.

Numerous legislators from both parties supported the proposal, demonstrating its broad support. But a deeper examination finds that the opposition is divided along party lines. Republicans (15) also voted against the ban, despite the fact that 50 Democrats opposed it.

The bill’s authors, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), and other supporters have voiced worries about TikTok, which is controlled by the Chinese internet giant ByteDance, and how it may endanger national security. They are concerned that the Chinese government may obtain user data and utilize it for spying.

The bill will now be considered by the Senate after passing the House. There, its future is yet unknown. Should the Senate approve the bill and the President signs it into law, ByteDance could be forced to shut down TikTok’s American activities or risk being completely banned. The app’s estimated 170 million American users as well as the companies that use it would be significantly impacted by this. [CONTINUE READING HERE]