US House panel greenlights bill potentially leading to TikTok ban or forced sale.

 A bill endorsed by a US congressional panel mandates TikTok's Chinese parent company to sell the app within six months or risk a ban, citing national security concerns. Supported by the White House and introduced by another House committee, the proposed legislation is criticized by TikTok, claiming it would negatively impact free speech and small businesses. The social media platform has encouraged users to contact Congress members, urging them to oppose the measure, sending notifications asking TikTokers to "call your representative now."

The World News was informed by a congressional aide that their office received numerous calls, with some phone lines reportedly overwhelmed, as reported by the New York Times. Several of the callers seemed to be teenagers.

The bill, put forth by a bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers from the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, secured unanimous approval (50-0) on Thursday from the Energy and Commerce Committee. For it to become law, Senate approval is required.

In response to criticism from the committee chairwoman regarding TikTok's mobilization of users, the platform questioned why members of Congress were complaining about hearing from their constituents, stating, "Respectfully, isn't that their job?"

The bill aims to "safeguard the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary-controlled applications."

Lawmakers assert that ByteDance, TikTok's owner, has ties to the Chinese Communist Party, a claim denied by ByteDance and TikTok. The bill specifically targets ByteDance, requiring it to sell TikTok or risk removal from US mobile app stores.

Notably, the legislation doesn't include provisions for legal action against individual app users. Committee chairman Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, argues that allowing America's primary adversary to control a major media platform is inappropriate.

Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi claims TikTok poses "critical threats to our national security" due to its parent company's alleged collaboration with China's political leadership. Proponents of the bill deny it constitutes a direct ban on TikTok, providing ByteDance approximately six months to comply.

TikTok, in response, labels the move as "an outright ban," criticizing its impact on the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and 5 million small businesses.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) echoes concerns, viewing the legislation as an attempt to score "cheap political points during an election year." The ACLU emphasizes TikTok's role for many Americans in information and communication.

This legislation is the latest in a series of attempts by US lawmakers to regulate TikTok, already banned on government devices (excluding President Joe Biden's re-election campaign account). Previous efforts by former President Donald Trump to ban TikTok and WeChat faced legal obstacles and did not materialize.