The U.S. House has taken a significant step in the ongoing battle over TikTok, passing a bill that would force the Chinese company ByteDance to sell the popular video app or face a ban in the United States. The legislation, which has escalated tensions between Beijing and Washington, aims to address concerns over national security, free speech, and the control of technology.
Despite TikTok’s efforts to rally its 170 million U.S. users against the bill, Republican leaders pushed it through the House with a lopsided vote of 352 to 65. The bipartisan support for the bill reflects a widespread backing for measures that directly target China, especially in an election year.
While President Biden has indicated he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate, the road ahead is expected to be challenging. Legal challenges, the high cost of finding a buyer for TikTok’s U.S. operations, and the need for Chinese approval all pose significant obstacles.
The bill’s passage comes after years of debate over the security risks posed by TikTok, with concerns focusing on the app’s code and algorithms rather than its ownership. The move by the House marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address these concerns and regulate the social media industry.
In other news, Israel allowed a convoy carrying food to enter northern Gaza for the first time since the conflict began last October, while the U.K. advanced legislation to bar foreign state ownership of newspapers. These developments highlight the complex and interconnected nature of global politics and technology in today’s world.
