American TikTok Users Rally Against Forced Sale Plans
In a show of collective action, American TikTok users are flooding politicians with calls to express their dissatisfaction with the plans to force the parent company of the popular social media app to sell. A bill proposing the sale within six months or facing a ban was approved by a US congressional panel on Thursday, prompting TikTok users to receive a notification urging them to take action to prevent a shutdown.
The inundation of calls has been so overwhelming that one congressional aide revealed their office had received dozens of calls. The impact has even reached children, who have directly contacted their representatives to voice their concerns over the matter. TikTok, confirming the notification it sent out, urged users to “call your representative now” and encourage them to vote against the measure. The bill is expected to proceed to a full House floor vote next week.
The bill was proposed by a cross-party group of 20 lawmakers forming the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. It received unanimous approval, with a vote count of 50-0, from the Energy and Commerce Committee. However, its conversion into law would require Senate approval. The committee chairwoman criticized TikTok’s mobilization of its users, prompting the platform to respond by questioning why members of Congress were complaining about hearing from their constituents, as it is part of their job.
The bill aims to protect the national security of the United States from the perceived threat posed by foreign adversary-controlled applications. Lawmakers argue that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has links with the Chinese Communist Party, an allegation vehemently denied by ByteDance and TikTok. The bill specifically targets ByteDance, giving it an ultimatum to sell TikTok or face removal from mobile app stores in the US. Notably, individual users of the app will not face legal action under this bill.
Chairman Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, states, “America’s foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States.” Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi adds that TikTok poses “critical threats to our national security” due to its parent company’s alleged collaboration with China’s political leadership.
Proponents of the bill argue against claims that it amounts to an overt ban on TikTok, emphasizing that ByteDance has approximately six months to comply. However, TikTok released a statement referring to the move as “an outright ban… no matter how much the authors try to disguise it.” They also expressed concerns over the impact on First Amendment rights and the millions of small businesses that rely on the platform for growth and job creation.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) shares these concerns, viewing the proposed legislation as an attempt to score “cheap political points during an election year.” The ACLU highlights that many Americans rely on TikTok for information and communication. This bill is the latest attempt by American lawmakers to restrict TikTok, following its ban on US government devices. Notably, President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign maintains an account on the platform.
It is important to note that previous attempts by former President Donald Trump to ban TikTok and the Chinese-owned app WeChat faced legal obstacles and never came into force. As the debate surrounding the future of TikTok in the United States continues, it remains unclear how this bill will ultimately impact the app and its millions of users.
In conclusion, American TikTok users are mobilizing against plans to force the sale of the social media app’s parent company. Their calls to politicians demonstrate their opposition to the proposed bill, which they view as a threat to their First Amendment rights and the small businesses that rely on TikTok. While lawmakers argue for protecting national security, TikTok and its parent company deny any links to the Chinese Communist Party. The battle over TikTok’s future in the United States rages on, with the bill set to face further scrutiny and potential Senate approval.
