TikTok sparks user revolt in US over sale plan

American politicians are receiving many calls from TikTok users who aren’t happy about plans to make its parent company sell the social media app. A bill was passed by a US congressional panel, saying TikTok must be sold within six months or it could be banned.

TikTok sent a notification asking users to call their representative to vote against the bill. The bill will be voted on by the full House next week. It’s supported by a group of 20 lawmakers who are concerned about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The bill aims to protect the US from threats by foreign-controlled apps. Lawmakers believe TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, has links to the Chinese Communist Party, which ByteDance denies.

Users of the app got a message telling them to stop a TikTok shutdown. Many people have called their representatives about this, including children.

Under the bill, ByteDance would have to sell TikTok or it could be removed from US app stores. The bill doesn’t target individual users of the app.

Some lawmakers think TikTok is a threat to national security because its parent company collaborates with China’s government.

TikTok says the bill would ban the app and violate Americans’ rights. The ACLU also opposes the bill, saying it’s a political move and many people rely on TikTok.

American lawmakers have tried to control TikTok before. The app is banned on US government devices, but President Biden’s re-election campaign has an account.

Former President Trump tried to ban TikTok and WeChat, but it didn’t happen because of legal issues.