The United States House of Representatives has voted in favor of a potential ban on the popular social media app, TikTok. However, experts warn that this does not necessarily mean the app will disappear anytime soon.
The vote, which took place on Friday, was a result of concerns over the app’s ties to China and the potential threat it poses to national security. The House voted 336-71 in favor of the ban, with both Democrats and Republicans supporting the measure.
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced scrutiny from the U.S. government for months. In August, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would ban the app from operating in the country if it did not find a buyer within 45 days. This order has since been blocked by a federal judge.
The House’s vote is seen as a way to put pressure on the Trump administration to take action against the app. However, it is ultimately up to the President to decide whether or not to enforce the ban.
Despite the vote, experts say that it is unlikely that TikTok will disappear from the app store anytime soon. The ban would need to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President before it could take effect. Additionally, TikTok has been in talks with U.S. companies, including Microsoft and Oracle, to sell its U.S. operations and address concerns over data privacy and security.
In a statement, TikTok said it was “disappointed” by the House’s vote and reiterated its commitment to protecting the privacy and security of its users. The company also stated that it has taken steps to address concerns raised by the U.S. government, including hiring a U.S.-based CEO and establishing a Transparency and Accountability Center.
The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, but for now, the app will continue to operate as usual. As the ban moves to the Senate, all eyes will be on the Trump administration to see how they will handle this ongoing issue.
