Representatives Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee have introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This legislation aims to prevent app store availability or web hosting services in the United States for apps controlled by ByteDance, such as TikTok.
"So long as it is owned by ByteDance and thus required to collaborate with the CCP, TikTok poses critical threats to our national security. Our bipartisan legislation would protect American social media users by driving the divestment of foreign adversary-controlled apps to ensure that Americans are protected from digital surveillance and influence operations of regimes that could weaponize their personal data against them. Whether it's Russia or the CCP, this bill ensures the President has the tools he needs to press dangerous apps to divest and defend Americans' security and privacy against our adversaries," said Krishnamoorthi in a press release published by the Select Committee.
The proposed bill outlines a process for the US President to designate social media applications controlled by a foreign entity as posing a national security threat. If designated, these applications will not be available on app stores in the United States unless they sever ties with the foreign entity. The Committee views TikTok as a potential data breach threat that could be exploited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to gather valuable information on American consumers. This comes amidst sweeping reforms passed by Congress restricting technology use and importation from China, reflecting rising tensions between both nations.
According to a press release, last year at an Energy and Commerce Committee meeting, TikTok's CEO admitted that ByteDance employees have full access to U.S. user data. Representative Mikie Sherrill believes that TikTok has been used by the CCP to suppress free speech in the United States and undermine American values. ByteDance will have six months to divest from TikTok before an app store ban is enforced. If divested, TikTok will remain on the app store. The House of Representatives is set to vote on the bill in the coming weeks.