• The US House of Representatives passes a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok by 2025.
• The legislation requires TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, within 270 days or face delisting from App Stores nationwide.
• Concerns about national security and privacy risks drive proponents of the bill, with notable opposition from high-profile figures like former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
• The bill now moves to the US Senate, where it may also be passed, amidst discussions on extending the deadline and potential economic impacts.

The United States House of Representatives has approved a bill that could spell the end for TikTok in the country by 2025. This move comes amid mounting concerns over national security and privacy risks associated with the popular video-sharing platform.

US House Passes Bill Potentially Banning TikTok by 2025

The United States House of Representatives recently voted in favor of legislation that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok by 2025. The bill, if enacted, would require TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, within 270 days or face being delisted from App Stores across the nation. This decision follows growing apprehensions regarding national security and privacy risks associated with the platform.

The proposed bill received significant support, with 360 representatives voting in favor and 58 against it. Additionally, it includes provisions allocating $60.8 billion in loans to Ukraine and authorizing the use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s war efforts.

Senator Maria Cantwell advocated for an extension of the deadline from six months to a year, emphasizing the importance of allowing sufficient time for potential buyers to negotiate deals. The bill now advances to the US Senate, where it may also gain approval. President Joe Biden has indicated his intention to sign the bill into law once it reaches his desk, despite some speculation about a possible extension of the deadline by another 90 days.

Notably, several prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have voiced opposition to the TikTok ban. Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok through executive action, now opposes the decision, albeit maintaining concerns about national security threats. Musk, similarly, raised concerns about free speech implications and highlighted TikTok’s substantial economic contributions to the United States.