Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Opposes Rushed TikTok Divestment Bill

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declared her intention to vote against legislation that would compel TikTok’s China-based parent company to divest from the platform or face a ban within US borders. The congresswoman’s statement, made on the digital platform formerly known as Twitter, emphasized her concerns over the rushed nature of the bill and highlighted the absence of sufficient explanation regarding its ramifications.

Ocasio-Cortez stated, “I’m voting NO on the TikTok forced sale bill. This bill was incredibly rushed, from committee to vote in 4 days, with little explanation.” She further expressed reservations about potential antitrust issues and privacy concerns associated with the proposed legislation. Importantly, she advocated for transparency, asserting that any national security apprehensions should be elucidated to the public prior to the voting process, reported Yahoo News.

The bill under scrutiny, labeled the “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” is slated for voting in the House on Wednesday. Its introduction last week followed a swift progression through the Energy and Commerce Committee, garnering unanimous support just two days later. If enacted, the legislation would compel ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to divest from the app within 165 days or risk encountering a ban from U.S. app stores and web hosting services.

Read more: House Republicans Take Aim at TikTok with New Regulatory Bill

President Biden, signaling a firm stance on the issue, expressed readiness to sign the bill should it pass through Congress. The White House has characterized the legislation as a pivotal measure to address potential risks related to data privacy and national security posed by the popular video-based social media platform.

A spokesperson from the National Security Council elaborated on the administration’s perspective, emphasizing collaborative efforts with bipartisan members of Congress to formulate a legislative framework aimed at mitigating threats stemming from technology services operating within the United States. The statement reiterated the administration’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive data and broader national security interests.

Ocasio-Cortez’s stance underscores the multifaceted discourse surrounding the regulation of tech giants and foreign-controlled platforms operating in the United States.

Source: UK News Yahoo