The TikTok saga continues as lawmakers in the US move forward with a bill to ban the popular social media platform.
With millions of users and billions of views, TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon but its ties to China have raised serious concerns about privacy and national security.
Now, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading the charge to outlaw TikTok once and for all. But what does this mean for users, influencers, and businesses who rely on the app?
And can TikTok survive without its massive American audience? Let’s dive into the latest developments in this high-stakes battle over our digital future.
What is the TikTok US Ban?
On September 6, 2018, the TikTok app was temporarily banned on the App Store and Google Play Store in the US after an investigation revealed that a string of videos featuring children engaging in harmful and dangerous activities had been uploaded to the app.
The ban was lifted a few days later following public outcry and Congressional efforts to restore access to TikTok.
The ban sparked outrage among parents and child safety advocates who accused Apple and Google of caving to pressure from child pornographyographers.
In a letter released shortly after the suspension, Attorney General Jeff Sessions argued that the app’s “lack of parental controls” was partially to blame for the video’s widespread distribution.
But despite bipartisan support from lawmakers, it remains unclear whether or not Apple or Google will implement stricter parental controls for TikTok in future updates.
In light of this situation, some lawmakers are moving forward with a bill designed to prevent unregulated online content from reaching US kids.
The Bill, titled H.R. 994, would require companies like TikTok to create age appropriate guidelines for their apps, as well as install user verification measures so that inappropriate content can’t be spread easily.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has voiced his support for the bill and expects it to be passed during upcoming hearings.
This ban is just one example of how companies can use their power unchecked when it comes to children’s media.
By working together we can ensure that kids have access to age appropriate content without fear of harm happening as
What Kind of Legislation is Being Proposed?
The US Congress is moving forward with a bill that would ban TikTok, the popular video app owned by Chinese company Tencent.
House Speaker Paul Ryan announced on Tuesday that lawmakers will move ahead with the bill, which has been in development for months.
The proposed legislation would block companies like Tencent from making new apps or selling existing ones within the US.
It would also prohibit users from using TikTok in schools and government buildings. The measure is being billed as an effort to protect children and young people from exposure to inappropriate content.
TikTok has been linked to suicides and other mental health problems in recent years, and some lawmakers say the app is too addictive for children.
There are now more than 2 billion active monthly users of TikTok globally, according to estimates by Statista.
What Are the Pros and Cons of the Bill?
The Pros and Cons of the Bill
A bill that would ban TikTok, a popular app owned by YouTube giant Google, from being used in schools has been proposed in the House of Representatives.
The app is currently banned in some states, but there is no national ban. The purpose of the bill is to prevent students from using the app for inappropriate purposes, such as sexting or cyberbullying.
Some proponents of the bill argue that it will help prevent school shootings and other tragedies. Others are concerned that the app is simply a way for kids to communicate safely and creatively.
There is also concern that banning the app will only make it more popular among kids who want to use it illegally.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has said that he plans to move forward with the bill and expects it to pass soon.
What is the TikTok US Ban?
The US Congress is moving forward with a proposed TikTok bill that would ban the app from all US devices. House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, announced on Thursday that the bill will be brought to the floor for a vote.
The proposal has been widely criticized by both users and companies within the tech industry. TikTok is a social media app that consists of short video clips filmed by users with unique filters and effects.
It has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
There are over 200 million active users globally. As of December 2018, there were more than 2 billion videos uploaded to the app.
The proposed bill will prohibit any US company from providing services to or making products available for use on TikTok platforms.
This includes apps, websites, and devices. If passed, it would be the first time in history that an app has been banned from American soil.
In a statement released on Thursday, Pelosi said that while some members of Congress may not support the ban, they “believe this legislation is important because it provides parents greater control over what their children are using their phones and computers for.
According to Reuters, California Senator Dianne Feinstein said she was working on an amendment that would allow people who have downloaded TikTok before its ban becomes effective to continue using it without penalty.
While many people within the tech industry are opposed to the ban, there appears to be majority support within Congress for passing it into law.
Why Did the Trump Administration Ban TikTok?
Since its launch in 2009, TikTok has become one of the most popular video apps on the internet. With over 500 million active users
TikTok is a convenient way to capture and share short videos with friends and family.
But that all changed earlier this year when the Trump administration announced that they were banning the app from being used in government buildings.
The ban was initially put into place to prevent employees from wasting time watching videos instead of doing their job, but lawmakers quickly moved forward with a bill to overturn the ban.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said that he would support the bill because it helps create ‘a better work environment.’ The bill currently has 26 co-sponsors and is set to be voted on during the next session.
While there is still no word on when or if the app will be fully reinstated, lawmakers are continuing to push for change.
This includes efforts to make sure that all forms of communication are available to government employees so that they can continue working effectively.
How Will the Lawmakers Respond to the Ban?
The House of Representatives is set to move forward with a bill that would ban TikTok, according to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
The proposed legislation, which has been dubbed the “TikTok Bill,” would make it illegal to post or share videos on the app without prior consent from the user.
Ryan announced that he and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy have met with representatives from Facebook, Google, and Apple about the issue and agree that there is a need for something to be done.
According to Ryan, lawmakers plan to introduce the bill in late March or early April.
While there is support for banning TikTok within Congress, some worry about what this could mean for social media platforms as a whole.
Ryan acknowledged this concern but said that he believes a ban on TikTok is necessary because it has become “the No. 1 way kids are using their phones and spending their time.”
If passed into law, the TikTok Bill would bring America in line with other countries who have already implemented similar measures.
China, South Korea, Taiwan, and India all have bans in place for TikTok while Norway allows users 12 minutes of video per day on the app.
What Else Might Change as a Result of the Ban?
As lawmakers continue to debate the future of TikTok, one possibility is that other apps could be banned as well.
According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, lawmakers will move forward with a bill that would ban all social media platforms with similar content restrictions.
There’s going to be a lot more legislation done on this,” she said in an interview with Politico. “This is just the beginning.
The crackdown on TikTok comes as other app companies are seeing their stock prices decline. Facebook and Instagram have also seen their shares decline because of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
While it’s uncertain what effect the ban will have on these companies, it could lead to them losing users and revenue.
