In a renewed effort to tackle national security concerns surrounding TikTok, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are gaining momentum in their push to pass legislation that would address the app's ties to China. Despite several previous attempts to ban the popular video-sharing platform, concerns over data privacy and potential espionage have persisted.

TikTok, owned by China-based company ByteDance, boasts more than 150 million monthly users in the United States alone, making it one of the most widely used apps in the country. However, the app's rapid rise has raised alarms among national security officials and lawmakers, who fear that China's communist government may gain access to sensitive user data.

The proposed legislation, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, aims to safeguard national security by prohibiting the distribution of apps developed by ByteDance and its subsidiaries, as well as other firms "controlled by a foreign adversary." If passed and signed into law, the bill would give ByteDance a six-month ultimatum to either sell TikTok or face being banned from U.S. app stores and web-hosting services.

Supporters of the bill, such as Rep. Mike Gallagher, argue that it strikes a balance between national security concerns and Americans' free speech rights. Gallagher, who introduced the bill alongside Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, stated that it provides the only viable path for TikTok to continue its operations in the United States without compromising online freedom, privacy, and security.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers emphasized that the legislation does not grant blanket authority to ban apps at the discretion of future administrations. Instead, any prohibition must be based on well-documented national security threats, with the information being presented to Congress for review and approval.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed worries about TikTok's potential sharing of user data with the Chinese government, as well as the platform's potential for spreading propaganda and misinformation. These concerns have fueled the call for ByteDance to sell TikTok, with Rep. Elise Stefanik characterizing the app as "Communist Chinese malware" that grants the Chinese Communist Party unfettered access to Americans' data.

TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing information with the Chinese government, although the company's CEO acknowledged last year that location data on U.S. users had been collected in the past. U.S. officials claim that Chinese law mandates ByteDance to provide the app's data to the Chinese Communist Party, adding to national security concerns.

While the bill has gained support from lawmakers across the political spectrum, it still needs to pass both the House and the Senate, and be signed into law by the president. If enacted, ByteDance would have six months to sell TikTok before facing any potential ban. Supporters stress that the legislation does not equate to a ban, as TikTok could continue operating in the U.S. if ByteDance divests.

The Biden administration has provided technical assistance to lawmakers crafting the bill, highlighting the importance of national security and the need to ensure that app ownership does not fall into the hands of entities that may pose harm to U.S. interests. However, the administration suggested that the legislation may need further refinement before it meets legal standards, but expressed openness to supporting it in the future.

The bill's advancement in the House Energy and Commerce Committee signifies initial progress, but its ultimate passage is uncertain. While critics question its potential impact on freedom of speech and expanding government surveillance, proponents argue that it is a more targeted approach compared to previous legislation.

As the conversation around TikTok's ties to China and its potential national security risks continues, the fate of the proposed legislation will be determined in the coming weeks.