Bagaimana Rumah Diam-diam Menghidupkan Kembali RUU Larangan TikTok

The US push to force TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company or face a complete ban has reemerged with a vengeance after almost a year of stagnation. In a surprising turn of events, the proposed legislation, known as HR 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, made its way through the House of Representatives with a vote of 352 in favor and just 65 against.

Months of behind-the-scenes negotiations led to the bill’s rapid progression, with Rep. Mike Gallagher and colleagues working tirelessly to draft a comprehensive piece of legislation. The bill, which targets social media services controlled by foreign adversaries, has now moved to the Senate for further consideration.

However, the road to this point was not without its challenges. An unexpected in-app call-in campaign orchestrated by TikTok backfired spectacularly, flooding congressional offices with calls from young users who were seemingly unaware of the implications of the proposed ban. The chaotic response from TikTok users highlighted the app’s vast reach and influence over a significant portion of the US population.

Despite the bill’s overwhelming support in the House, some members raised concerns about the speed with which it was pushed through. Rep. Ro Khanna criticized the rushed process and called for a more comprehensive approach to addressing data privacy concerns.

TikTok’s frantic lobbying efforts only served to underscore the app’s potential for misuse by foreign adversaries, according to lawmakers. The incident highlighted the need for stringent measures to prevent foreign influence over American social media platforms.

As the legislation now moves to the Senate, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain. Lawmakers are grappling with the implications of allowing a foreign-owned app with millions of users to operate within the country’s borders. The outcome of this legislative battle could have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry and national security.