TikTok urges users for support as latest bill threatens its future in the US

TikTok is facing an existential crisis in the US. 20 lawmakers, part of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, have moved a bill that could force ByteDance, the China-based company behind the social media app, to either divest TikTok or face a ban!

The bill cites national security concerns and is reportedly backed by the White House. Cleared unanimously by the Energy and Commerce Committee, the bill will be tabled in the Senate next week. If approved, it will affect the 170 million TikTok users in the US.

TikTok fights back, Congress members flooded with phone calls

As it turns out, TikTok is fighting back and is banking on its strong user base. The company sent notifications to mobile phones, urging users for support. The pop-up reads, TikTok is at risk of being shut down in the US. Call your representative now.

On opening the app, users see a message where ByteDance highlights how banning TikTok violates the tenets of free speech and will affect businesses and individuals who rely on it for livelihood.

The message reads,

Stop a TikTok shutdown. Congress is planning a total ban of TikTok. Speak up now-before your governement strips 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression. This will damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country, and deny artists an audience. let Congress know what TikTok means to you and tell them to vote NO.

At the bottom is a Call Now button, which, when pressed, asks users for the Zip Code, and then offers an option to dial their members of Congress.

Ever since TikTok sent out the notification, several Congress members have reported receiving hundreds of calls, primarily from teenagers. Some had to temporarily shut down phone lines amidst the barrage of calls. As expected, most callers hung up as soon as the call was connected.

From what it seems, this fightback by TikTok is not going to have any significant effects. With elections around the corner, calls to ban or divest TikTok will gain prominence, especially amongst concerns of influence in the electoral process and national security.

TikTok, through its official X handle (previously Twitter), has also released a statement highlighting its stance on the legislation.

There have been efforts to ban TikTok in the US previously, but they never went through due to legal hurdles. Congress members this time seem much too determined for the proposed act to see the light of the day!

What’s your take on the US moving a bill to ban TikTok and other similar apps? Share with our readers in the comments section.