Legislation would bar TikTok from U.S. app stores if it does not cut ties with China-based parent company ByteDance

Washington, D.C. - March 17, 2024 - (The Ponder News) -- On Wednesday, The House voted on the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, legislation that would require TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company ByteDance if it is to continue operating in the United States. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 352 to 65. The bill would prevent app store availability in the U.S. for ByteDance-controlled applications, including TikTok, unless the applications sever ties to entities like ByteDance that are subject to the control of China, a foreign adversary.

“TikTok is a massive social media platform, with hundreds of millions of users in the United States,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “That is why it is even more concerning that one of the United States most prominent adversaries, China, has control over the app. The app could be used to spy on Americans or to manufacture public opinion. That is dangerous for our national security and to our democracy. I voted in support of this legislation, to ensure that no foreign adversary is given license to spy on Americans and manipulate their opinions," said U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd) after voting in favor of passing the bill.