Current location:business >>
Congressional threat of TikTok ban a living example of protectionism, pan
business8People have gathered around
IntroductionU.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation that threatens to ban TikTok from app stores operated by ...
U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation that threatens to ban TikTok from app stores operated by Apple and Google unless the popular short video platform divests itself from ByteDance, its parent company, within about six months - a move that represents a latest crackdown on Chinese companies for so-called national security reasons, Chinese experts said.
The action came just about three months after a U.S. judge blocked a ban on the use of TikTok in late November 2023, saying that it violated users' free speech rights. Experts said the move serves as another living example of how some U.S. politicians use the stick of protectionism and pan-security for their own political purposes.
The action taken by the U.S. lawmakers will jeopardize the rights of hundreds of millions of users and small businesses relying on the social media platform and undermine the confidence of Chinese investors in conducting business in the U.S., experts warned.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on Tuesday to give ByteDance about six months or 165 days to divest TikTok or face a U.S. ban, seeking to tackle national security concerns about its Chinese ownership, Reuters reported.
Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the House of Representatives select China committee and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat, are among more than a dozen lawmakers introducing the measure, which is expected to see an initial vote on Thursday, the report said.
In response, a TikTok spokesperson told the Global Times on Wednesday that "this bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it. This legislation will trample on the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs."
The bill came just a few months after a U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction last November to block Montana's first-of-its kind state ban on the use of the app from taking effect on January 1, 2024, stating that the ban "violates the Constitution in more ways than one" and "oversteps state power."
TikTok has faced increasing pressure and scrutiny in the U.S. over alleged security concerns and accusations of a link to the Chinese government. Despite the company's repeated assurances that it has never shared data with the Chinese government and would not do so if asked, the scrutiny persists.
Chinese experts said that the latest move by the U.S. lawmakers amid the U.S. primary elections is another "political gala" targeting China-related companies in an attempt to arouse public concern over "national security" issues.
"What lies behind the show is the country's growing protectionism and pan-security, driven by political motivations," Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday, noting that this will add more uncertainty to the already challenging economic relations between China and the U.S.
It also exemplifies the fact that some U.S. politicians have put their political interests above the public's interests, which include the massive number of users and enterprises relying on the social media platform, Gao said.
The bill came just a month after the U.S. President Joe Biden officially joined TikTok on February 11, becoming one of the more than 1 billion users of the short video platform. U.S. media outlet The Hill said that "the Biden campaign launch on the app could mark an effort to win over younger voters."
About 170 million Americans are using TikTok, more than half of the total U.S. population. TikTok has become a main source of news and information for Gen Z in the U.S. (those born between 1996 and 2010). Even in the face of negative publicity, TikTok's young users continue to experience explosive growth, proving that the app meets social needs and is a free choice on the market.
TikTok is not just a Chinese company investing and operating in the U.S. but an important platform for the U.S. to catch up to the global trend of digitalization, experts said. The platform has created a lot of jobs and business opportunities in the U.S., Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
"The moves by the U.S. politicians may harm the rights of many U.S. consumers from accessing the popular app and have a negative impact on the market environment in the country," Zhou said.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Earth Explorer news portal”。http://ghana.whetstonetavern.com/news-04b199926.html
Related articles
Tunisian opposition wants political prisoners freed before taking part in presidential election
businessTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s main opposition coalition said Tuesday it won’t take part in the Nor ...
【business】
Read moreBest credit cards rated: Top for cashback, rewards and clearing debt
businessThe best credit cards can help you boost your credit score, clear your debts faster, spread the cost ...
【business】
Read moreNew York bill could repeal 1907 law that criminalizes adultery
businessCheating on your spouse could land you behind bars in New York due to a decades-old law that could s ...
【business】
Read more
Popular articles
- Bayern stars Musiala, Sané fit enough to start against Real Madrid in Champions League
- This is Money
- Humiliation for Saudi Arabia as it's 'forced to scale back $1.5trillion plans for 106
- I'm a solo British traveller
- DAILY MAIL COMMENT: A very good day for our united kingdom
- Gaza's Nasser hospital: Fears for patients as Israeli raid continues
Latest articles
Former Spain coach Del Bosque to head the commission overseeing beleaguered soccer federation
Best credit cards rated: Top for cashback, rewards and clearing debt
Will the Bank of England cut interest rates soon? This is Money podcast
'Sorry, you can't board, off you pop': Traveller reveals how he was caught out by a post
Queen Mary and King Frederik are caught in a royal Photoshop row
Biden pledges 'relentless diplomacy' on global challenges
LINKS
- Beyoncé is bringing her fans of color to country music. Will they be welcomed in?
- Israel must stop settler attacks on Palestinians, UN office says
- Eberl looking to steer Bayern back to calmer waters
- Pressure mounts on CBA to halt hoops slump
- Coach vows to beat Singapore in World Cup qualifier
- Yuan wins Chinese derby to progress at Indian Wells
- Fire rages through Copenhagen's historic stock exchange, spire collapses
- Ancelotti calls for courage, personality vs. Man City
- An Algerian reporter says he was expelled from his country without explanation
- Tardy claims maiden LPGA title at Blue Bay in China