Squad member claims TikTok ban legislation fueling anti-Asian sentiment, report says

Potential TikTok ban could fuel anti-Asian sentiment, Rep. Pressley warns. Legislation aims to force ByteDance to divest due to security concerns.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts expressed concern over the potential nationwide ban of TikTok, warning of a possible increase in anti-Asian and Chinese sentiment. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has approved legislation giving ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, six months to divest from the app or face a ban in the U.S. The bill aims to address national security threats associated with the app.

The full House is scheduled to vote on the bill, with Rep. Pressley opposing the measure due to its potential impact on Asian Americans. She emphasized the need to consider data privacy and security issues across all social media platforms, not just TikTok. Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, also members of the "Squad," expressed reservations about the ban and the rushed nature of the legislation.

Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida criticized the bill, highlighting the potential negative impact on individuals who rely on TikTok for their livelihood. The app itself issued a notification urging users to speak out against the ban, emphasizing the importance of free expression and the potential harm to businesses and creators nationwide. The debate over the future of TikTok continues as lawmakers grapple with balancing security concerns and the rights of users.

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