Social media app Tik Tok has made many careers and livelihoods ever since its inception, but now the Chinese-owned app could be banned in the US due to security concerns, as the majority of the House just voted to approve Biden’s bill that would give him the power to ban the popular app. If the bill, known as H.R. 1153 or the Deterring America’s Technological Adversaries Act, goes through it would be the biggest restriction made to a social media app in the United States.
According to REUTERS, 24 to 16 voted to approve the bill and give the power to the administration to ban the ByteDance-owned app. The app is amongst many other apps that the administration plans to put restrictions on due to security issues.
Over 100 million people in the U.S. alone currently use Tik Tok, and the ban would have a major impact throughout the country.
“TikTok is a national security threat … It is time to act,” said Representative Michael McCaul, on the Republican side who backed the bill. “Anyone with TikTok downloaded on their device has given the CCP (Communist Party of China) a backdoor to all their personal information. It’s a spy balloon into their phone.”
RELATED: Chinese Version Of Tik Tok Allows Teens To Browse The App For 40 Minutes
There are currently no details on how the ban would go into effect, but, there are details on the President being able to ban transactions on the app, which could interim prevent users from having access to it. However, the Democrats are currently opposed to the bill, believing that it is rushed and needs more thought.
Joe Biden admits Tik Tok poses a potential national security threat.
Joe Biden does executive orders for everything…legal or not.
Why won’t Joe Biden write an Executive Order to ban Tik Tok?
— Jason Robertson (@JRobFromMN) March 1, 2023
White House Already Issued Notice To Ban Tik Tok On Federal Devices
The White House already implemented the measure that Tik Tok cannot be downloaded on any federal or state devices and that they have 30 days to make sure this is implemented. The bill would still need approval from the entire house and democratic senate before it can go over to Biden.
“A U.S. ban on TikTok is a ban on the export of American culture and values to the billion-plus people who use our service worldwide,” TikTok rep Brooke Oberwetter said. “We’re disappointed to see this rushed piece of legislation move forward, despite its considerable negative impact on the free speech rights of millions of Americans who use and love TikTok.”
RELATED: Authorities Issue Warning About Tik Toks & Outlet Challenge After Reports of Small Fires
Other areas in Canada and the European Union have also implemented restrictions and bans on Tik Tok.
I guess I’ll have to download and export the good Tik Tok videos I’ve made over to YouTube shorts if this U.S. ban is happening. At least I didn’t invest much into it
🫠
— TwistedRivera (@TwistedMRivera) March 1, 2023