House Passes Bill Banning TikTok in the United States

The United States House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to potentially ban TikTok, the viral video-sharing platform owned by a China-based company. The move highlights lawmakers’ growing concerns over the app’s possible threats to national security. The& Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act& bill sailed through the House with a decisive vote of 352-65, with one member, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, voting present. Now, all eyes turn to the Senate, where the bill’s fate remains uncertain, albeit with less immediate pressure to act. “Communist China is America’s largest geopolitical foe and is using technology to actively undermine America’s economy and security,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who cautioned against TikTok’s potential to access American data and spread “harmful” content. Yet, despite the bipartisan consensus, the bill faced notable opposition from both ends of the political spectrum. Fifty Democrats and 15 Republicans voted against it, including prominent figures like Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Some members of Congress expressed concerns over potential infringements on free speech, while others feared adverse impacts on small businesses. Central to the debate is whether TikTok poses a legitimate national security threat or if the legislation...