Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has outlined a potential path for TikTok to continue its operations in the United States. In an op-ed published in The Hill, Moolenaar emphasized that TikTok must divest from Chinese Communist Party control to remain active in the U.S.
Moolenaar recently met with businessmen Kevin O'Leary and Frank McCourt to discuss TikTok's potential divestiture. The Select Committee is committed to working with decision-makers to ensure a qualified divestiture as they explore all options.
In a recent Supreme Court decision, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was upheld, requiring tech companies like Apple, Google, and Oracle to cease offering TikTok services in the U.S. unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Congress provided ByteDance 270 days to sell its stake and relinquish control over TikTok.
Despite interest from American buyers, ByteDance has not engaged in discussions about selling TikTok. Moolenaar describes this reluctance as behavior characteristic of a foreign adversary rather than a profit-driven private company.
President Trump had previously identified TikTok as a national security threat but acknowledged its popularity among American users. There are reports that the incoming administration may consider delaying the law’s implementation to allow more time for a sale.
Congress included a one-time 90-day extension option for such scenarios, which could facilitate a smooth transition while ensuring digital safety for American users.
The legislation mandates that any continuation of operations by TikTok or related apps like Lemon8 requires severing ties with ByteDance and other Chinese entities. This includes removing Chinese control over user data and content recommendation algorithms.
TikTok's past proposals did not meet these requirements, allowing continued access by the Chinese government to user data through ByteDance's algorithm and services. Public reports have highlighted repeated violations by ByteDance regarding commitments made about TikTok’s independence and data access.
With legal appeals exhausted following the Supreme Court ruling, Moolenaar urges immediate action by ByteDance: "Sell, comply with the law and ensure that American users are protected from the Chinese Communist Party’s malign influence."
Moolenaar concludes by stressing that this issue extends beyond an app; it concerns national security and standing against foreign threats to protect America's digital future.
