TikTok faces ban in US under new law
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TikTok faces a ban in the United States, where the video-sharing platform has over 170 million users, under legislation backed by the US House of Representatives.
The proposed Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would see the platform banned unless there is a change of ownership in the next six months.
TikTok’s owner ByteDance has been accused by US politicians of having links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which it denies.
The bill was supported by an overwhelming 352-65 margin in the House and will now go to the US Senate.
In a statement, TikTok said: “This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it’s a ban. We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy, seven million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is leading a coalition of civil rights organisations opposing the bill.
Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at ACLU, said: “Make no mistake: the House’s TikTok bill is a ban, and it’s blatant censorship. Today, the House of Representatives voted to violate the First Amendment rights of more than half of the country. The Senate must reject this unconstitutional and reckless bill.”
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