TikTok has expressed opposition to a forced divestiture bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, claiming it tramples on freedom of expression.
In a release on the 21st (local time), TikTok stated, “It’s regrettable that the U.S. House of Representatives has once again forced a bill that tramples on the freedom of expression of 170 million Americans under the pretext of key foreign and humanitarian aid.”
Earlier on the 20th, the House passed the Peace Through Strength Act in the 21st Century bill, which includes the forced divestiture of TikTok in the country, with 360 votes in favor and 58 against.
If this bill is passed in the Senate, ByteDance will have to sell TikTok within 270 days in the U.S.
The service will be banned even if it does not sell within the specified period. However, the U.S. President can once extend the divestiture deadline by 90 days.
About this, Washington political circles view ByteDance, a private company, as a corporation under the control of the Chinese government. Washington judges that the personal information of TikTok users in the U.S. could be leaked to China, potentially influencing elections.
Last month, the House processed the so-called TikTok Ban Act, which specified a six-month divestiture deadline. However, this bill was not discussed in the Senate.
Meanwhile, the bill that passed the House the day before is expected to be put to a vote in the Senate this week. U.S. media outlets are predicting its passage as highly likely.
