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A new law in Washington will ban social networks "controlled by enemies."
Popular video service TikTok has found itself at the epicenter of a new legislative standoff in Washington. This week, a group of Congressmen - Republican Mike Gallagher and Democrat Raja Krishnamurti-introduced a bill that could lead to the blocking of the application in the United States.
The bipartisan initiative "On Protecting Americans from Apps controlled by Foreign Adversaries" is aimed at forcing the Chinese tech giant ByteDance, which owns TikTok, to part with the popular video service," The HiII writes.
According to the text of the bill, after the law comes into force, ByteDance will receive a 5-month period for selling TikTok. If this does not happen within the allotted time, distribution of the app via the App Store or other platforms will become illegal. This effectively cripples TikTok for US users.
The document defines ByteDance and TikTok as "applications controlled by foreign adversaries." The bill also creates a broader framework that would allow the president to identify other apps controlled by foreign adversaries.
As The Hill notes, the number of "foreign opponents" that fall under the bill also includes Russia, North Korea and Iran.
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek stated: "This bill is a direct ban on TikTok, no matter how its authors try to disguise it. It tramples on the free speech rights of 170 million Americans and undermines the business of 5 million small businesses."
It is expected that the bill will be considered by the Committee on Energy and Trade next Thursday. Its prospects for approval in the House of Representatives are regarded as very high.
Popular video service TikTok has found itself at the epicenter of a new legislative standoff in Washington. This week, a group of Congressmen - Republican Mike Gallagher and Democrat Raja Krishnamurti-introduced a bill that could lead to the blocking of the application in the United States.
The bipartisan initiative "On Protecting Americans from Apps controlled by Foreign Adversaries" is aimed at forcing the Chinese tech giant ByteDance, which owns TikTok, to part with the popular video service," The HiII writes.
According to the text of the bill, after the law comes into force, ByteDance will receive a 5-month period for selling TikTok. If this does not happen within the allotted time, distribution of the app via the App Store or other platforms will become illegal. This effectively cripples TikTok for US users.
The document defines ByteDance and TikTok as "applications controlled by foreign adversaries." The bill also creates a broader framework that would allow the president to identify other apps controlled by foreign adversaries.
As The Hill notes, the number of "foreign opponents" that fall under the bill also includes Russia, North Korea and Iran.
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek stated: "This bill is a direct ban on TikTok, no matter how its authors try to disguise it. It tramples on the free speech rights of 170 million Americans and undermines the business of 5 million small businesses."
It is expected that the bill will be considered by the Committee on Energy and Trade next Thursday. Its prospects for approval in the House of Representatives are regarded as very high.
