President Biden Endorses Legislation to Potentially Ban TikTok in the United States
In a move that could have significant implications for the popular video-sharing app TikTok, President Joe Biden has endorsed legislation that calls for the app’s potential ban in the United States. The legislation, which passed through the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously, aims to address growing concerns about the security of Americans’ data in the hands of China’s ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
The bill requires ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok within 180 days or face a U.S. ban. This decision comes after both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission warned about the potential risks of ByteDance sharing user data, including browsing history, location, and biometric identifiers, with China’s authoritarian government. However, TikTok has maintained that it has never shared such data and would not do so if asked. The U.S. government has also not provided any evidence to support these claims.
President Biden’s endorsement of the legislation marks a significant step in addressing national security concerns surrounding TikTok. The White House had previously provided technical support in drafting the bill, although it was acknowledged that further work was needed before the president’s endorsement.
Former President Donald Trump, a staunch critic of TikTok, expressed his opposition to the ban. In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed that a ban would benefit rival social media platform Facebook. This opposition puts Trump at odds with powerful Republicans such as House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who view the legislation as a critical national security bill.
It is worth noting that President Biden had previously banned the use of TikTok by federal government employees on devices owned by its agencies. However, his reelection campaign recently joined the platform, showcasing the divided opinions within his administration regarding TikTok’s security risks.
If enacted, the bill would effectively ban TikTok and other ByteDance apps from being available in Apple or Google app stores in the U.S. It takes a two-pronged approach by requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok and other applications it controls within 180 days. Additionally, the bill establishes a narrow process that allows the executive branch to prohibit access to apps owned by foreign adversaries if they pose a threat to national security.
In response to concerns about data security, TikTok has made promises to separate U.S. user data from its parent company through an independent entity monitored by outside observers. However, a recent poll conducted by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that Americans are deeply divided on the issue of banning TikTok. While 31% of U.S. adults favor a nationwide ban, 35% oppose such action, and 31% neither favor nor oppose it.
Interestingly, the generational divide is evident among TikTok users, most of whom skew younger. They are less likely to be concerned about the app sharing American users’ data, with only about a quarter expressing significant worries. In contrast, approximately half of U.S. adults overall are concerned about the Chinese government obtaining their personal information through the app.
The legislation’s fate now rests in the hands of Congress, where it is expected to face further debate and scrutiny. As the battle over TikTok’s future continues, it remains to be seen how the U.S. government will navigate the delicate balance between national security concerns and the desires of millions of TikTok users across the country.
