The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill on Wednesday, with 352 votes in favor, calling for TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States. This bipartisan move in the politically divided Washington marked a rare moment of unity.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised the bill’s passage, addressing concerns about potential repercussions for Republicans, emphasizing the importance of protecting young users’ data from potential risks associated with the popular app. Scalise highlighted the bill’s aim to provide additional layers of protection for families and young people.
Scalise expressed confidence that the strong support in the House would facilitate the bill’s progression through the Senate. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to adopting the House version, Scalise indicated optimism, stating, “The fact that it’s such an overwhelming vote, both Republicans and Democrats, bodes well for this version of the bill to be quickly taken up in the Senate.”
In response to the proposed ban, the Chinese government issued a warning to the US, cautioning that such actions against the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok would “inevitably come back to bite” the country. The situation reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding technology and data security.
