TikTok ban inches closer to reality as House passes bill
House lawmakers approve bill targeting TikTok, setting March 2024 deadline to cut ties with parent company
Potential fines of $5,000 per user could lead to massive penalties for Apple and Google
The potential ban on TikTok in the United States took a major step forward on Saturday when House lawmakers approved a bill targeting the popular video app. The legislation, which is part of a broader effort to address concerns about TikTok's ties to China, would require the company to cut ties with its parent company, ByteDance, by March 2024 or face a ban in the United States.
The bill also establishes fines of $5,000 per user of a banned app, which could lead to massive penalties for Apple and Google, the two companies that distribute TikTok in the United States. If TikTok were to be banned, Apple and Google could each be on the hook for up to $850 billion in fines. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill on Wednesday, and if it passes, it will then go to the Senate for consideration.
The potential ban on TikTok has been met with mixed reactions. Some lawmakers have argued that the app poses a national security threat, while others have said that it is a popular form of entertainment that should not be banned. TikTok has also denied the allegations that it poses a national security threat, and has said that it is committed to protecting the privacy of its users.
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