Can ByteDance Stop Selling its Social Media Apps in the United States and Protect Its Ownership, and Its Implications for National Security?

Lawmakers are attempting to get TikTok to stop doing business with the Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

It also creates a process for the president to designate other social media companies from foreign adversary countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as subject to the bill — meaning apps owned by designated companies that are distributed in the US would need to sever ties to continue operating there.

The bipartisan legislation would require ByteDance to sell the app because of national security concerns about the way it uses and stores data — or face a ban.

Despite bipartisan concern, it remains a major question if any action to divest or ban TikTok can reignite momentum during an election year — especially one where TikTok is a useful tool for candidates hoping to secure their seats.

But Jean-Pierre said the White House doesn’t see the bill as a ban on TikTok but rather ensuring its “ownership isn’t in the hands of those who may do us harm. “Obviously, this is about our national security,” Jean-Pierre said.