U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill today that could lead to a ban of the popular TikTok app in the United States.
The concern, according to lawmakers south of the border, is that the company’s ownership structure poses an unacceptable risk to American national security.
The bill requires that ByteDance, a Chinese firm, separate itself from TikTok and other apps it owns within a 6 month window or the apps will be banned in the United States.
(Kevin Andrews File photo)
Local tech blogger Kevin Andrews says TikTok is opposing the move, calling it an attack on their First Amendment rights under the US Constitution.
He says TikTok will be given a deadline to sever ties with ByteDance or face a ban, and outlines similar restrictions for apps controlled by foreign adversaries.
The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.
A number of governments, including Canada and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, banned the TikTok app from government-issued electronic devices amid security concerns.
