Efforts to pressure ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, into selling the popular social media app or face a ban in the U.S. gained momentum in Congress on Thursday. The House of Representatives scheduled a vote for Saturday on a measure included in a $95 billion legislative package, with key Senate Democrat Maria Cantwell expressing support for the move.
The proposed bill would give ByteDance a year to divest itself of TikTok, a significant extension from the prior six-month deadline. Senate Commerce Committee chair Cantwell’s endorsement significantly bolsters the measure’s prospects of becoming law.
Concerns over national security risks associated with TikTok have been widespread, with fears that China could exploit the app to access data from its 170 million U.S. users. While TikTok has vehemently denied sharing U.S. user data with China, lawmakers and President Joe Biden’s administration remain wary.
Cantwell, who had previously been lukewarm on the bill, praised the extended divestment period, emphasizing the need for adequate time for a potential buyer to finalize a deal.
TikTok expressed disappointment with the House’s move, denouncing the bill as leveraging unrelated issues to push through restrictive measures. The company argued that restrictions on the app would infringe upon users’ free speech rights and negatively impact millions of American businesses that utilize the platform.
In an earlier interview with Reuters, Cantwell emphasized the importance of legislation that can withstand legal scrutiny and address broader concerns about foreign apps. She advocated for robust measures to safeguard national security interests, underscoring the need for comprehensive and effective regulatory tools.
