TikTok’s fate in the US is likely being decided by the outcome of a vote in the Republican House. The vote on Wednesday will bring to light the popular app’s implications for how lawmakers in the country are thinking about security and what users do with their data.
❖ TIKTOK CALLS U.S. HOUSE BILL A “BAN” AND HOPES “SENATE WILL CONSIDER THE FACTS, LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS” BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION – SPOKESPERSON
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) March 13, 2024
Here are the details:
- The House passed a bill: The title of the bill was long and it was called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy Controlled Applications Act through Standoff. This is not a TikTok-specific design, but the latter is not excluded under the ban on apps deemed a national security threat due to foreign ownership.
- TikTok faced an ultimatum: The app, which serves 170 million US citizens, has 180 days to lay solid ground for a transfer from its Chinese owner ByteDance. If US authorities do not comply with the order, the TikTok ban would make the app inaccessible and impossible to use in the US market.
- Lawmakers cite security concerns: The US government is concerned that US users could be spied on and national security compromised because the app is a Chinese-owned enterprise. Such concerns are not unreasonable given TikTok’s claim to operate as an independent organization.
- TikTok Fights Back: The application swung into action and challenged both customers and the team to make appointments with their lawmakers and further advocate against the mentioned bill. The movement protests its unmasking “facade” but also claims it is a violation of user standards and the small businesses that depend on it.
- Key to the Senate: Now, the bill will be signed by the President, and the bill will go to the Senate for processing. Regardless of the outcome of the ownership issue, which the President is prepared to sign, he is going to sign the law. Nevertheless, the harms and implementation difficulties that may arise even after the bill is passed could delay or completely worsen the consequences of banning the death penalty.
People have seen increasing conflict between countries which has significantly affected conversations on Twitter and other SNS. It remains to be determined whether TikTok will be able to survive these stormy waters and maintain access to a US audience.
