## American House of Representatives Approves Bill that Jeopardizes TikTok
Recently, the American House of Representatives approved a bill that might lead to the prohibition or mandatory sale of TikTok, a popular social media platform. This decision is a crucial development in the ongoing saga about the future of the Chinese-owned app in the United States.
An Updated Bill with Potential Repercussions
The bill, initially approved by the House in March before getting stuck in the Senate, was incorporated in a foreign aid package this time. This tactic will likely elevate its importance. The initial bill granted TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, a six-month period to sell the app if it gets enacted into law. However, the revised bill extends this period to a year.
Senate’s Subsequent Step
The bill, approved in the House with a 360-58 vote, now proceeds to the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer informed that the Senate is trying to reach a consensus on a schedule for the next vote on the foreign aid package that includes the TikTok bill. The vote is expected to occur next Tuesday.
TikTok Depicted as a National Security Threat
The bill depicts TikTok as a national security risk due to its links to China. Approximately 170 million American users on the app mean ByteDance is unlikely to back off without resistance. Critics argue that a TikTok ban would have minimal effect on protecting American data.
Impact on Freedom of Speech and Economy
The TikTok Policy account stated that the bill would infringe upon its users’ freedom of speech and ruin 7 million businesses. They also noted that TikTok annually contributes $24 billion to the American economy.
Conclusion
As the bill proceeds to the Senate, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. The result could profoundly affect the app’s U.S. user base, as well as the wider tech industry.
Questions and Answers
Q1: What is next for the bill?
A1: The bill will now head to the Senate, which could vote on it within days.
Q2: Why does the bill label TikTok as a national security threat?
A2: The bill paints TikTok as a national security risk due to its Chinese connections.
Q3: How many American users does TikTok boast?
A3: The app has approximately 170 million users in the U.S.
Q4: What would be the consequences of this law on TikTok users and businesses?
A4: TikTok claims that such a law would curb the freedom of speech of its users and would be disastrous for 7 million businesses.
Q5: How much does TikTok inject into the U.S. economy each year?
A5: Anually, TikTok contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy.
