"Congress Considers TikTok Ban Amid Pressure Campaign Backfire"

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has unanimously approved a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok unless it is spun off from its China-linked parent company, ByteDance, within 165 days. The bill aims to address concerns about potential Chinese government spying through the popular social media app. TikTok is mobilizing its user base against the bill, while lawmakers argue that it is not a ban but a measure to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party. The legislation also includes restrictions on US companies selling personal information to foreign adversaries. The fate of the bill in the Senate remains uncertain, with some expressing concerns about its potential impact on free speech rights.