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The House of Representatives just passed a bill that could ban TikTok in the United States.

If the legislation makes it through the Senate and President Biden signs it into action (which, ICYMI, he said he would if the bill reaches his desk), TikTok could be removed from the app store—and our phones.

The bill was passed with a strong majority of 352 votes—signaling massive support for the TikTok ban.

@nbcnews #BREAKINGNEWS: The House voted 352-65 to pass legislation that could ban #TikTok in the U.S. Both #Democrats and #Republicans in the House say the legislation is needed, but the bill faces an uncertain fate in the #Senate. President #Biden ♬ original sound - nbcnews

What's going on?

Lawmakers are concerned about how TikTok handles user data and whether it's an issue of national security.

TikTok is owned by the Chinese-based company ByteDance. Officials have raised concerns that the Chinese Communist Party could use TikTok to access sensitive user data—plus employ the algorithm to show videos that could influence political views. ByteDance has argued that blocking the app violates users' rights under the First Amendment. 

Would TikTok *actually* get banned?

Basically, if the bill is passed, ByteDance must sell the app within 180 days (during this time, the app can still be used). If it doesn't comply, app stores would no longer be allowed to provide updates or host the app.

So what happens now?

This bill being passed is just the first step. For it to become a law, the Senate also needs to approve it. Then, it would head to President Biden's desk.

by Fran Au | 3/13/2024