U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has called for legislation mandating China’s ByteDance to divest its American-based short video app, TikTok, used by millions.
Expressing concerns over national security, McConnell emphasized the necessity of forcing Beijing-influenced entities out of TikTok to safeguard American interests.
McConnell’s stance aligns with previous actions by the U.S. House of Representatives, which voted decisively in favor of giving ByteDance six months to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets or face a ban.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell indicated plans to collaborate with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner to devise a strategy for TikTok legislation.
While Schumer hinted at making progress on TikTok legislation, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, Cantwell underscored the need for a regulatory tool to thwart foreign entities from compromising American citizens’ safety.
The fate of TikTok has escalated into a focal point in Washington, with lawmakers inundated by public outcry against potential bans.
TikTok, however, defended its stance, citing First Amendment rights and asserting that a ban would impede on the liberties of its 170 million American users.
Despite concerns over national security risks, TikTok has adamantly denied sharing U.S. data with China, highlighting its substantial investments in data protection measures.
Lawmakers grapple with striking a balance between safeguarding sensitive data and preserving freedom of expression on digital platforms.
