Biden Administration supports potential TikTok ban, cites national security and data concerns

(Washington, DC)  --  The White House is calling on the Senate to pass the TikTok bill just approved by the House.  

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration wants the Senate to quickly put the bill to a vote.  The bill requires TikTok's parent company, Chinese-owned tech giant ByteDance, to sell the app within 180 days or see it banned from U.S. app stores.

"So, we —we are glad to see the bill — this bill move forward.  We will look at — we will look to the Senate to take swift action.  As we have said — and this is something that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said — this bill is important and we welcome the step in — and ongoing efforts to address the threat posed by certain technology services operating in the United States that put at risk Americans’ personal information and our — our broader national security, including through the manipulation by foreign powers of Americans’ views and beliefs," said Jean-Pierre in a press conference on Wednesday.

Lawmakers are concerned the Chinese government can access the personal data of millions of Americans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has yet to say whether he'll bring the legislation to the floor.  

You can read the version of the bill passed by the U.S. House by clicking here. Additionally, you can read the full statement by Jean-Pierre by clicking here.