US Lawmakers Consider Potential Ban of TikTok Amid Concerns Over Influence and Data Security

There have been concerns raised by Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and other lawmakers that China could use the social media app TikTok to influence the 2024 US elections. The Chinese company ByteDance, which owns TikTok, is facing a bill in the House of Representatives that would require it to sell the app due to concerns over user data access by the Chinese government. This move represents an unusual shift for House Republicans, as former President Trump had previously expressed support for the platform. However, recent reports suggest that Trump's defense of TikTok may be linked to a meeting with a Republican donor. The House is planning to vote on the bill, which would give ByteDance six months to divest TikTok, around 10 am under fast-track rules. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has already voted in favor of the bill. It should be noted that there are ongoing concerns about China's potential influence over TikTok.