The invoice is the most recent menace to the app, which has been downloaded 170 million instances in america regardless of critics’ issues about information safety and its Chinese language connections. The invoice wouldn’t straight ban TikTok however would pressure its Chinese language guardian firm, ByteDance, to promote the app or face restrictions that would bar it from U.S. app shops.
Whereas the invoice could possibly be on monitor for a ground vote within the Home, the place it has gained the assist of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the Senate has but to introduce companion laws. It could must cross each chambers earlier than reaching Biden’s desk. Earlier White Home statements have been extra tentative about assist for the hassle.
However whereas Biden voiced assist for the invoice, Donald Trump, his Republican rival who’d pushed for a TikTok ban whereas in workplace, mentioned Thursday night time that he now not thinks it’s a good suggestion.
“If you happen to eliminate TikTok, Fb and Zuckerschmuck will double their enterprise,” he mentioned in a put up on his platform, Reality Social, referring to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. He referred to as Fb “a real enemy of the folks” however didn’t clarify his reasoning.
Opponents of the invoice, together with civil liberties teams, have mentioned it could impinge on the liberty of expression of TikTok’s tens of millions of American customers and would violate the Structure. Final 12 months, a federal decide blocked Montana’s try and ban the app statewide, saying it was unconstitutional for quite a lot of causes.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who blocked the same invoice final 12 months, citing its impression on free expression. “We should always watch out for those that use worry to coax People to relinquish our liberties,” Paul mentioned on the time.
Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) mentioned Friday that he nonetheless harbors issues about “the constitutionality of an strategy that names particular firms,” however might be “taking a detailed look” on the invoice.
“I’ve mentioned all alongside that I’m keen to work with anybody — Republican or Democrat — who takes this menace significantly,” Warner mentioned in an announcement.
Ellen Nakashima contributed to this report.
