Committee approves GOP proposal to prohibit TikTok across the country

President Joe Biden would have the authority to prohibit TikTok from sharing user data with the Chinese government, according to the bill.

A bill that would give President Joe Biden the power to ban TikTok in the US was advanced by Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, despite objections from Democrats and civil liberty groups. The Deterring America's Technological Adversaries Act, or DATA Act, introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), was approved by a 24-16 vote and would direct Biden to sanction or ban TikTok if the company is found to have shared user data with individuals linked to the Chinese government.

Democrats have raised concerns that the bill is too broad and could affect businesses in allied countries in Europe and Taiwan. The American Civil Liberties Union has also criticized the bill, saying it poses a threat to freedom of speech. TikTok has warned that banning the app would amount to a ban on American culture and values. The bill would need to be approved by the Democrat-controlled Senate before it reaches Biden.

The vote comes ahead of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's appearance before the Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23rd to address questions about the app's ties to the Chinese government.