A bipartisan bill gaining support in the House would ban or force the sale of the social media app TikTok in the U.S. due to its ties to China.
TikTok issued a statement defending itself and claiming the bill would trample free speech rights and harm small businesses.
“Our statement on the latest TikTok legislation: This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it,” the verified TikTok account wrote.
“Seethe and cope.” https://t.co/kptTuUAmDQ pic.twitter.com/wIHIcqOKn0
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) March 6, 2024
TikTok added, “This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs.”
Supporters counter it is needed to protect privacy and national security from the risks of a geopolitical rival controlling the platform.
“Seethe and cope,” Rep. Mike Collins wrote.
“BAN TikTok,” Sen. Josh Hawley wrote.
While TikTok warned of dire consequences, author Rep. Gallagher said the goal is to “remove the tumor” by wresting control from Chinese owners, which he argues could save both security and TikTok itself.
“It is not a ban,” Gallagher said. “Think of this as a surgery designed to remove the tumor and thereby save the patient in the process.”
“If you value your personal freedom and privacy online, if you care about Americans national security at home, and yes, even if you want TikTok to stick around in the United States … this bill offers the only real step toward each of those goals,” he said.
The bill and debate showcase the ongoing tensions between authorities seeking to limit Chinese tech influence and companies claiming their rights are at stake.
Read Also:
Bombshell Decision from Michelle Obama on 2024 Run
Former Border Chief Shreds Biden With 4 Simple Words
