TikTok, the popular video-sharing app that has taken the world by storm, may soon face its biggest challenge yet: a ban in the United States. President Joe Biden has announced that he will sign a bill that could effectively outlaw the app in the country, citing national security concerns.
The bill, which has passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously, calls on TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance to divest its ownership of the app or face a ban. The bill has also gained support from Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who called it a “critical national security bill”.
The move comes amid growing fears that TikTok could share Americans’ personal data with China’s authoritarian government, as the FBI and the FCC have warned. TikTok has denied these allegations and said it has never done so and would not do so if asked.
TikTok has also faced criticism for its handling of a recent incident where its employees improperly tracked the locations of three Forbes journalists, using methods that the magazine called spying. One ByteDance executive resigned and another was fired over the incident, which raised doubts about TikTok’s data management practices.
TikTok has tried to appease the U.S. government by proposing a security agreement that would address the concerns of lawmakers and regulators. The company said it has been working with the country’s top national security agencies to implement the plans. However, the Biden administration has not yet approved the agreement and said it still needs some work.
Meanwhile, TikTok’s users and creators are anxiously waiting for the fate of their favorite app. TikTok has over 150 million monthly active users in the U.S., making it the country with the largest TikTok audience. The app has also spawned countless viral trends, memes, and challenges, as well as launched the careers of many influencers and celebrities.
The fate of TikTok in the U.S. now rests on the outcome of the bill in Congress and the negotiations with the Biden administration. If the bill passes and Biden signs it, TikTok could face a ban as soon as this year. If the security agreement is approved, TikTok could continue to operate in the country, but under strict oversight and regulations.
Either way, TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain and precarious. The app that has entertained millions of Americans and revolutionized social media may soon disappear from their screens, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, controversy, and cultural impact.
