While TikTok may be known for its viral dance trends and cute pet videos, the U.S. government believes it has the potential to be used for more. A recent bill passed by the House of Representatives aims to restrict ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, from owning the app due to concerns over potential security risks. The bill, titled ‘Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,’ would prohibit any app store in the U.S. from hosting ByteDance apps, including TikTok, unless the company severs ties within six months. However, the app has now been granted an additional nine months to comply, with a further three months to complete any potential sale.
Should a ban go into effect, it would take at least a year to be implemented, and it would not automatically delete the app from users’ phones. However, it would prevent future updates and bug fixes, eventually rendering the app unusable, similar to what happened with Vine.
The proposed ban has sparked differing opinions. The government cites concerns about a Chinese company owning an app used by nearly 150 million Americans, while some lawmakers, such as Gen Z Democratic Rep Maxwell Frost, argue that it violates the First Amendment. Frost believes that TikTok provides a platform for free expression and supports small businesses and content creators. The debate over the TikTok ban highlights the complex issue of balancing national security concerns with individual freedoms in the digital age.
