TikTok may soon be prohibited in the U.S., following a bill overwhelmingly backed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Mar. 13. The bill, passed 352 to 65 in a bipartisan vote, requires TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance within 180 days or see it banned from Apple and Google app stores in the U.S.
The bill has yet to take effect as it requires companion legislation in the Senate. According to Reuters, a number of U.S. senators want to stall making a final decision on the bill, apprehensive of making such an audacious move against an app with 170 million U.S. users. Other key figures advocate a different approach to regulating foreign-owned apps.
The bill received fierce opposition from the public, along with China and TikTok. The American Civil Liberties Union called the bill a violation of First Amendment rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech.
China has warned that the move will “inevitably come back to bite the United States.” Chinese foreign minister Wang Wenbin condemned the move as “bullying behavior,” as the U.S. continues to suppress TikTok despite finding no evidence that the app threatens U.S. national security.
TikTok has reiterated the Chinese foreign minister’s claims and has denied any ties to the Chinese government. The video platform went on to state that it underwent restructuring to ensure that U.S. user data remains in the country with independent supervision.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, meanwhile, made a high-profile visit to Capitol Hill to meet with senators on Mar. 14. In a video, he commented that the approved bill would “take billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses,” and put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk.
Serena Park Staff Reporter junior/1618902263/1613367844
1. When did the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly pass the bill regarding TikTok?
2. What action does the bill require TikTok to take within 180 days to avoid being banned from Apple and Google app stores in the U.S.?
3. What concerns do some U.S. senators have about making a final decision on the bill?
4. According to the passage, what was TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's response to the approved bill?
1. How do you feel about the possibility of TikTok being prohibited in the U.S.?
2. Do you think the bill's requirement for TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company is justified? Why or why not?
3. Have you ever been affected by a decision made by lawmakers that you disagreed with? If yes, please share.
4. What are your thoughts on the role of social media platforms in national security concerns?
TikTok may soon be prohibited in the U.S., following a bill overwhelmingly backed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Mar. 13. The bill, passed 352 to 65 in a bipartisan vote, requires TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance within 180 days or see it banned from Apple and Google app stores in the U.S.
