The House of Representatives passed legislation Saturday that could lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app, TikTok.
This move marks a significant threat to the app’s future in the United States. While a similar bill was advanced by lawmakers last month, the current effort is unique in two ways.
Firstly, it is attached to a sweeping foreign aid bill that provides support for Ukraine and Israel. Secondly, it addresses concerns raised by some members of the Senate by extending the deadline for TikTok to find a buyer.
The Push to Sell TikTok
President Biden has expressed support for the effort to force TikTok to sell or face a possible ban.
If successful, this would be the first time the U.S. government passes a law that could shut down an entire social media platform, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle.
However, TikTok has condemned the bill as an unconstitutional attack on free speech rights.
Read: Here Are The 30 GOP Senators Who Voted To Reauthorize Warrantless Spying Tool
National Security Concerns
One of the main reasons behind the push to sell TikTok is the fear that the Chinese government could use the app for propaganda or surveillance purposes. Government officials in Washington have long been worried about the potential interference in U.S. elections or the surveillance of American TikTok users. However, there is currently no publicly available evidence to support these concerns.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, claims to have implemented a firewall between its headquarters in Los Angeles and its parent company in Beijing.
However, reports suggest that U.S. user data still moves between the two entities. Despite the lack of evidence linking TikTok to Chinese government interference or spying, the idea that China could potentially weaponize an app used by millions of Americans has led to an all-out crackdown.
The Challenge of Finding a Buyer
The bill passed by the House gives TikTok up to a year to find a company or group of investors to acquire it. This extends the original six-month window provided in the previous bill, which some Senators deemed too short. However, this raises a critical question: What exactly would a buyer be acquiring?
The algorithm that powers TikTok, often referred to as the app’s secret sauce, is owned by ByteDance. Selling this technology would require the approval of the Chinese government, which has indicated that it will not allow the algorithm to be sold. This poses a significant obstacle to any potential deal.
Read: Florida Sen. Rubio, Colleagues Move To Block Biden Rule And Protect Faith-Based Orgs
Moreover, TikTok’s value makes it inaccessible to all but the largest tech companies. While the exact worth of TikTok is unknown, analysts estimate that its parent company, ByteDance, is valued at around $225 billion, with TikTok being its most successful service. If a Silicon Valley giant were to attempt to acquire TikTok, it would likely face scrutiny from antitrust enforcers in Washington, who are increasingly skeptical of deals that consolidate the power of already massive tech firms.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the sale of TikTok, the bill passed by the House buys more time to find a viable solution. It also creates a buffer between the bill’s passage and the upcoming presidential election.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.