U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed his willingness to sign a new bill that would result in the prohibition of the widely-used social media app TikTok across the nation.
The bill, which was recently given the green light by the US House Energy and Commerce Committee, mandates that TikTok’s parent company, China’s ByteDance, sell its interest in TikTok or risk the app being outlawed in the U.S.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, an advocate for the bill, anticipates a full House vote on the matter shortly.
“I’ll sign it if it is passed,” stated Biden, responding to media queries about his stance on the bill.
Earlier in the week, the White House, having lent technical guidance in shaping the bill, indicated via spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre that the legislation required further modifications before earning Mr Biden’s endorsement.
Ex-president Donald Trump, who is likely to enter the presidential race as a Republican candidate, voiced his disagreement with a TikTok ban on his Truth Social platform, stating it would favor Facebook, a social media competitor.
Trump had previously attempted to ban both TikTok and WeChat during his term, although he later withdrew the executive orders meant to implement the ban.
Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have sounded alarms over ByteDance’s potential to share user data with the ruling Chinese government—a claim TikTok has steadfastly denied.
TikTok maintains it has never and would not share data even if requested.
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In measures taken last year, President Biden imposed a ban on TikTok use by federal government personnel across nearly four million devices, with the exception of certain national security, law enforcement, and security research activities.
Despite the administration’s security concerns with TikTok, Mr. Biden’s campaign team created an account on the platform ahead of his re-election campaign last month.
Similar actions have been seen in the UK, where TikTok was prohibited on government devices, a move already adopted by the U.S., Canada, and the European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why may TikTok be banned in the U.S.?
The concern is that ByteDance could share data with the Chinese government, jeopardizing national security.
- Has President Biden supported the TikTok ban from the start?
No, Biden has stated that he would sign the bill if it passes, and his administration has contributed to its drafting.
- Is the TikTok ban a bipartisan issue?
Yes, both parties have shown concern over TikTok’s potential national security risks, and the bill has seen unanimous support in the Energy and Commerce Committee.
- Has TikTok been banned in other countries?
Several countries, including the U.S., the UK, Canada, and EU nations, have already banned TikTok on government devices.
- What has TikTok’s response been to the threat of a ban?
TikTok has repeatedly stated that they have not and will not share user data with the Chinese government if requested.
Conclusion
The potential U.S. ban on TikTok reflects growing concerns about data privacy and national security across the globe. The unanimous committee support and President Biden’s willingness to sign the bill underscore the seriousness with which these risks are being taken. Should the bill become law, it will represent a significant stance on foreign ownership of social media platforms and the safeguarding of user data within the United States.