Senate Considers Public Hearing on TikTok Crackdown Bill
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell is contemplating holding a public hearing on a TikTok crackdown bill following a closed-door briefing from U.S. national intelligence and Justice Department officials. Cantwell emphasized the importance of getting the legislation right but refrained from providing a specific timeline for the next steps.
House Vote on TikTok Divestment
The U.S. House recently voted 352-65 to compel Chinese-based ByteDance to divest the popular short video app TikTok within six months or face a ban. Senators are now looking to introduce legislation to address concerns surrounding TikTok’s operations.
Legislation to Address Concerns
Cantwell highlighted the necessity of having tools to prevent foreign actors from engaging in activities that could potentially harm U.S. citizens. She expressed determination to move forward with the legislation promptly, indicating plans to collaborate with Representative Mike Gallagher, a key sponsor of the House bill.
Senate Recess and Briefing Details
As the Senate prepares to go on recess, Cantwell, along with Senate Intelligence Committee chair Mark Warner and top Republicans Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, hosted a classified briefing on TikTok. While the fate of TikTok remains uncertain, discussions around national security risks and data protection continue to intensify.
Stance on TikTok Security Risks
Lawmakers and the Biden administration have raised concerns about TikTok’s potential national security threats due to data sharing risks with China. Despite TikTok’s assurances of safeguarding U.S. data, the debate rages on, with the company emphasizing its substantial investments in data protection efforts.
Overall, the deliberations surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. highlight the complex intersection of national security, data privacy, and legislative action.
