What You Need to Know About the Potential Vote on a TikTok Ban in the US House This Weekend
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Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives are fast-tracking legislation that could lead to a ban on TikTok, a popular social media platform owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. The new measure would require ByteDance to sell TikTok to a buyer approved by US officials. This legislation is being attached to an aid package for Ukraine and Israel and will be voted on in the House soon, followed by a Senate vote. If the legislation passes and TikTok is banned, experts anticipate legal challenges from free speech advocates and the tech industry. TikTok has voiced opposition to the legislation, claiming that it would trample on free speech rights, disrupt businesses, and harm the US economy. Despite lacking direct evidence of Chinese government ties or surveillance, the bill is intended to prevent potential threats to national security. The future of TikTok remains uncertain as the bill continues through the legislative process. Senate leadership initially showed reluctance to take up the legislation, but its attachment to an aid package may increase pressure for a vote. Opposition to the bill comes from free speech and digital rights groups who argue that addressing TikTok specifically does not address larger issues within social media. The debate over the ban on TikTok highlights broader concerns about data protection, censorship, and national security risks associated with social media platforms.