TikTok crackdown passes U.S. House: What to know about today's vote
CBC
The U.S. Congress has moved a big step closer to a crackdown on a popular platform that could have far-reaching implications for social media in the country.
It involves a bill with major implications for the fast-growing site TikTok, renowned for addictive videos and used by hundreds of millions around the world, including millions in Canada.
At issue are alleged concerns about risks to national security and young users. The counter-claim: American politicians are unfairly picking on a Chinese-owned company.
Here's what's happening.
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favour of a bill called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. It passed in a largely bipartisan vote, supported by more than three-quarters of the chamber.
The bill specifically cites TikTok. But it could apply to apps owned in countries designated as foreign adversaries under U.S. law — meaning Iran, Russia, North Korea and China.
The bill presents two options: China-based ByteDance would have to sell TikTok within 180 days, or TikTok would be banned in the U.S. This would make it illegal for app stores and web servers there to host, maintain, distribute or feature the site.
"This is my message to TikTok: break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users," said the bill's original sponsor, Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher.
To become law, the bill still needs to pass the U.S. Senate. This is by no means guaranteed.
In fact, it's common for bills to pass one chamber and stall in the other. It's happened on gun control, climate change, immigration and, lately, on Ukraine aid.
To date, the U.S. Senate is non-committal.
It's notable that the Senate has its own social media bill that would force all large platforms to reform their practices.
The Senate's Kids Online Safety Act does not target TikTok specifically. It requires all platforms to install new safeguards against bullying, sexual exploitation and talk of suicide; to open up their algorithms to researchers; allow parental monitoring; and to produce annual reports on risks and harms.
That broader bill appears to have enough support to pass the Senate.
While his party has made a cause célèbre out of its battle with the Speaker, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has periodically waxed poetic about the House of Commons — suggesting that its green upholstery is meant to symbolize the fields of the English countryside where commoners met centuries ago before the signing of the Magna Carta.