The future of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill with the potential to ban the popular video app. Citing national security concerns due to TikTok's ownership by the Chinese firm ByteDance, the legislation would force a sale within six months or face removal from app stores and web services.

This isn't the first time TikTok has faced potential restrictions in the US. In 2020, former President Trump attempted a nationwide ban through an executive order, citing similar national security concerns. However, this effort was blocked by the courts after legal challenges from TikTok. 

The current bill, known as the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," passed with a resounding 352-65 vote. Lawmakers expressed anxieties about the potential Chinese government influence on user data and the possibility of election interference through the platform. 

While the House vote signifies a significant hurdle cleared, the bill now faces an uncertain path in the Senate. There, companion legislation is yet to be introduced, and previous attempts to restrict TikTok have struggled to gain traction. 

The pressure is on for ByteDance. They must decide whether to sell TikTok's US operations or face a potential ban that would cripple their access to millions of American users. The White House has indicated support for the bill, suggesting President Biden would sign it if passed by the Senate. 

This development comes just months before the US presidential election, raising concerns about the impact on younger voters who heavily utilize the platform. With the Senate yet to weigh in, the fate of TikTok in the US remains undecided.

이다인 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

<저작권자 © 강남포스트, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>