Bipartisan support is growing for a ban on TikTok in the United States, with lawmakers concerned about national security risks posed by the Chinese-owned social media app. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) have introduced legislation to prohibit the application, citing concerns that the Chinese Communist Party could compel the company to hand over user information.
While critics argue that the ban is more about politics than privacy, TikTok has faced recent security concerns after admitting publicly that employees “illegally accessed” the personal user data of two journalists. The TSA and the United States military have also banned the app on all government-issued devices.
If passed, the bill could face backlash from younger generations, and the ban may not come into effect for some time. Nonetheless, TikTok’s future in the United States is uncertain, and lawmakers are continuing to push for stricter regulations on the popular social media platform.