Current:Home > MarketsHouse passes legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S.-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
House passes legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S.
lotradecoin payouts View Date:2024-12-25 15:46:24
The House passed legislation Saturday that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform's China-based owner doesn't sell its stake within a year, but don't expect the app to go away anytime soon.
The decision by House Republicans to include TikTok as part of a larger foreign aid package, a priority for President Joe Biden with broad congressional support for Ukraine and Israel, fast-tracked the ban after an earlier version had stalled in the Senate. A standalone bill with a six-month selling deadline passed the House in March by an overwhelming bipartisan vote as both Democrats and Republicans voiced national security concerns about the app's owner, the Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.
The modified measure, passed by a 360-58 vote, now goes to the Senate after negotiations that produced a compromise.
Even if the legislation becomes law, though, the company would have up to a year to find a buyer and would likely try to challenge the law in court, arguing it would deprive the app's millions of users of their First Amendment rights. Court challenges could significantly delay the timeline set out by Congress or block the law from going into effect.
The company lobbied hard against the legislation, pushing the app's 170 million U.S. users — many of whom are young — to call Congress and voice opposition. But the ferocity of the pushback angered lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where there is broad concern about Chinese threats to the U.S. and where few members use the platform themselves.
"We will not stop fighting and advocating for you," TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a video that was posted on the platform last month and directed toward the app's users. "We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights, to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you."
The bill's quick path through Congress is extraordinary because it targets one company and because Congress has taken a hands-off approach to tech regulation for decades. Lawmakers have failed to act despite efforts to protect children online, safeguard users' privacy and make companies more liable for content posted on their platforms, among other measures.
The TikTok ban reflects widespread concerns from lawmakers about China.
Members of both parties, along with intelligence officials, have worried that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over American user data or direct the company to suppress or boost TikTok content favorable to its interests. TikTok has denied assertions that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government and has said it has not shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities.
The U.S. government has not publicly provided evidence that shows TikTok shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government or tinkered with the company's popular algorithm, which influences what Americans see.
The company has good reason to think a legal challenge could be successful, having seen some success in previous legal fights over its operations in the U.S.. In November, a federal judge blocked a Montana law that would ban TikTok use across the state after the company and five content creators who use the platform sued.
In 2020, federal courts blocked an executive order issued by then-President Donald Trump to ban TikTok after the company sued on the grounds that the order violated free speech and due process rights. His administration brokered a deal that would have had U.S. corporations Oracle and Walmart take a large stake in TikTok. The sale never went through for a number of reasons; one was China, which imposed stricter export controls on its technology providers.
Dozens of states and the federal government have put in place TikTok bans on government devices. Texas' ban was challenged last year by The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, which argued in a lawsuit that the policy was impeding academic freedom because it extended to public universities. In December, a federal judge ruled in favor of the state.
Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have backed the app. "Congress cannot take away the rights of over 170 million Americans who use TikTok to express themselves, engage in political advocacy, and access information from around the world," said Jenna Leventoff, a lawyer for the group.
Since mid-March, TikTok has spent $5 million on TV ads opposing the legislation, according to AdImpact, an advertising tracking firm. The ads have included a range of content creators, including a nun, extolling the positive impacts of the platform on their lives and arguing a ban would trample on the First Amendment. The company has also encouraged its users to contact Congress, and some lawmakers have received profanity-laced calls.
"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," said Alex Haurek, a spokesman for the company.
Nadya Okamoto, a content creator who has roughly 4 million followers on TikTok, said she has been having conversations with other creators who are experiencing "so much anger and anxiety" about the bill and how it's going to impact their lives. The 26-year-old, whose company "August" sells menstrual products and is known for her advocacy around destigmatizing menstrual periods, makes most of her income from TikTok.
"This is going to have real repercussions," she said.
- In:
- Technology
- Joe Biden
- Politics
- China
- TikTok
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Las Vegas police could boycott working NFL games over new facial ID policy
- Horoscopes Today, June 14, 2024
- Missouri woman’s murder conviction tossed after 43 years. Her lawyers say a police officer did it
- North Carolina posts walk-off defeat of Virginia in College World Series opener
- Get Designer Michael Kors Bags on Sale Including a $398 Purse for $59 & More Deals Starting at $49
- Micro communities offer homeless Americans safe shelter in growing number of cities
- Can the Greater Sage-Grouse Be Kept Off the Endangered Species List?
- 4 Florida officers indicted for 2019 shootout with robbers that killed a UPS driver and passerby
- These six House races are ones to watch in this year’s election
- Another Olympics, another doping scandal in swimming: 'Maybe this sport's not fair'
Ranking
- Red Cross blood inventory plummets 25% in July, impacted by heat and record low donations
- Who are hot rodent men of the summer? Meet the internet's favorite type of celebrity
- Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici Warn Bachelor Couples Not to Fall Into This Trap
- My autistic brother fought an unaccepting world. My graduating students give me hope.
- 'Truffles is just like me:' How a Pennsylvania cat makes kids feel proud to wear glasses
- New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's strategy of blaming his wife in bribery trial may have pitfalls
- Here's what Pat Sajak is doing next after 'Wheel of Fortune' exit
- 4 Florida officers indicted for 2019 shootout with robbers that killed a UPS driver and passerby
Recommendation
-
US unemployment claims fall 7,000 to 227,000 in sign of resiliency in job market
-
Why Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag Say 6-Year-Old Son Gunner Is Ready for His YouTube Career
-
Victim identified in Southern California homicide case, 41 years after her remains were found
-
A far-right pastor challenges the Indiana GOP gubernatorial nominee’s choice for running mate
-
Clint Eastwood's Son Scott Shares How Family Is Doing After Death of Christina Sandera
-
Prosecutor says ATF agent justified in fatal shooting of Little Rock airport director during raid
-
'Inside Out 2' spoilers! How the movie ending will tug on your heartstrings
-
Taylor Swift says Eras Tour will end in December