U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation, H.R. 7521, aimed at TikTok, urging the social media giant to divest from its parent company, ByteDance, due to national security concerns over its ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The bipartisan group, including Rep. Gallagher, Rep. Gus Bilirakis, and others, emphasized in a press conference at 9:50 AM ET that the bill does not outright ban TikTok but offers the company a choice: sever its ties with the CCP or face a ban in the U.S. The legislation highlights concerns over TikTok's potential to spread propaganda and manipulate users, particularly children, under the influence of the CCP. Lawmakers argue that TikTok's allegiance appears to lie more with the CCP than with its users, underlining the urgency of the divestiture for the protection of American users' sensitive data.
If TikTok severs all ties with the Chinese Communist Party – preventing the CCP from collecting U.S. data & pushing propaganda on the app – they can keep American users. Pretty simple. Everyone should ask themselves: why won’t TikTok cut ties with ByteDance and the CCP?
Our legislation doesn't ban TikTok—it gives the company a choice: Tiktok can sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party, or face a ban in the U.S. https://t.co/0ada7Eha1N
TikTok's time is almost up. If it sides with the Chinese Communist Party and refuses to divest from its parent company, ByteDance, it will face a prohibition in the U.S. Who will they pick...the CCP or the security of Americans?? https://t.co/6DXppd27Fn
TikTok is proving exactly why they need to be separated from the CCP. They are currently spreading propaganda to influence policy, and they’re manipulating children to do it. They have no regard for their users' well-being and only care about maintaining ties with the CCP. https://t.co/NEwX0WYQuY
This legislation is simple: TikTok can remain in operation so long as they break up with the Chinese Communist Party. Sadly, through this message, they’re broadcasting that their allegiance lies with the CCP, not their users. https://t.co/kAAgCsrEcu
TikTok can spin this however they want, but the American people should be aware that as outlined by the bill we’ve introduced in Congress, TikTok can remain active in the United States if they divest away from Communist China-controlled ByteDance. It’s really that simple. https://t.co/wHxYQJg3w3
CCP-controlled TikTok has claimed H.R. 7521 is an “outright ban.” This is yet another lie. We are giving TikTok a simple choice: Divest from your parent company—which is beholden to the CCP—and remain operational in the U.S. OR side with the CCP & face a ban. It's up to them. https://t.co/UYfM3e1ytP
TikTok’s must divest from ByteDance, its parent company with undeniably strong ties to the CCP, as a matter of national security and to protect the sensitive data of all American users. https://t.co/CsWj8Sqr59
While @tiktok_us’ reaction demonstrated a clear misunderstanding of the legislation, @RepGallagher and bipartisan sponsors will host a press conference at 9:50 AM ET to explain how TikTok can save itself. Break up with the CCP. It’s not hard. Tune in➡️ https://t.co/8SEblqDZPP https://t.co/WiH76GiK9v