House Passes bill that could lead to TikTok ban amid China tensions

The House of Representatives recently voted on a bill targeting the Chinese app TikTok, citing it poses a threat to national security as the reason. In retaliation, China has taken preemptive steps that have adversely affected Americans, further straining the relationship between the two nations.

American politicians have long been discussing the possibility of blocking TikTok, accusing the app's developers of having ties with the Chinese government. They argue that the platform could be sharing user information with Beijing authorities.

In March of this year, the House passed a bill that would ban TikTok in the US unless its owner, the Chinese company ByteDance, divests it to a company not affiliated with the Chinese government. This legislation is part of a larger package of laws, which includes much-anticipated aid for Ukraine.

Experts caution that banning a globally popular app like TikTok could lead to a wide array of political, legal, and social challenges.

The legislation allows TikTok a 270-day window to find a new owner. "The law also empowers the White House to extend this period by an additional 90 days if the President of the USA deems that progress is being made towards the sale," CNN reported. Following this period, TikTok will have 165 days to appeal the decision in court.

“It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually,” TikTok stated in a response published on Wednesday on the platform X.