By Natalia Rueda 
As TikTok’s popularity continues to skyrocket, the platform is facing a new threat that could lead to it being banned from the U.S. market. In a unanimous decision, the House of Representatives introduced a bill that would allow TikTok to be banned, citing concerns about possible interference from the Chinese government. The measure seeks to have the platform sever all ties with its Chinese parent, ByteDance, as well as with China in general.
The bill passed with 352 votes in favor and only 65 against. This demonstrates the fear that TikTok could be used as a tool for Chinese espionage and propaganda. This particular app has been singled out as a potential threat due to its vast reach and potential to access sensitive user data. Under the proposed legislation, Tik Tok, which has more than 170 million users in the United States alone, would not be allowed to be downloaded and used on any device.
However, the ban is not without its critics. Many argue that it would violate freedom of speech and could harm the millions of U.S. users who rely on TikTok as a platform for free speech and entertainment and for whom their main income is due to this social network.
The future of Tik Tok in the U.S. remains uncertain but as this debate unfolds, TikTok users and observers around the world are wondering what the future holds for the popular app. Will it be able to survive and thrive independently, or will it succumb to pressure from U.S. lawmakers?