TikTok has captivated the attention of many in the past few years, especially Gen-Z and Millenials. TikTok is a platform used to create and share short videos. TikTok videos can be anything like lip-syncing, dancing, news, recipes, education, and many more.
The app’s popularity has spiked in a short time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teens used the app to keep themselves entertained. Based on the Mountaineer news TikTok poll results, 47% of students use TikTok as their “go-to” app, 27% use the app sometimes, and only 26% do not use the app.
Luma Rowashda, 10, says, “Honestly I wouldn’t be the most upset because I wouldn’t have access to going on the app anymore. Just simply deleting it still allows me to re-download it. I also would have so much more free time.”
In 2020, Trump tried to ban TikTok but courts prevented that from happening. Since then, Trump’s views on the app have been changed. If this bill goes into effect, Americans could lose TikTok within months.
On Wednesday, March 13th, the House of Representatives voted to pass the bill. This is only the first stage seeing as the Senate holds the power for the future of the bill. The vote was 352 to 65, 65 in opposition and 352 in support; 50 of those 65 being Democrats and 15 being Republicans. If the bill gets to the desk of President Joe Biden, he is in support and will sign it. The bill would make it illegal for app stores to make TikTok available to download.
TikTok is accused of being dangerous to American users as it poses a national security threat. The Chinese government could use its intelligence to share the private information of the United States TikTok users. According to CNN, “China’s foreign ministry called the bill an “act of bullying.” In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Shou Chew thanked the community of TikTok users and said the company has invested in keeping users “data safe and our platform free from outside manipulation.”
ByteDance is the Chinese platform behind TikTok. The House gave ByteDance a choice to either sell TikTok within six months or lose access to app stores and web-hosting services in the U.S. The six-month clock will start if the bill is passed by the Senate and then signed by President Biden.
