LOS ANGELES — TikTok could be banned in the U.S. after the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote. 

What You Need To Know

  • The bill would force the parent company of TikTok, Chinese-owned ByteDance, to sell the app to an American-owned company or risk removal from U.S app stores

  • TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress last year and denied that the Chinese government controls the app

  • President Biden has said he will sign the bill if Congress passes it, although the Senate has unsuccessfully tried to pass a similar bill called the Restrict Act before

The bill would force the parent company of TikTok, Chinese-owned ByteDance, to sell the app to an American-owned company or risk removal from U.S app stores. 

It also creates the legislative framework to ban other foreign-owned apps. With 150 million U.S. monthly users, legislators argue the app's ties to China is a cyber security risk. 

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress last year and denied that the Chinese government controls the app, saying China cannot access U.S. user data. 

The bill has received a mixed reaction, with many raising concerns over freedom of speech and free expression. 

Travel influencer Antonae Wallace also points to the financial impact many like her would suffer if the app was banned. 

Mother of three, Kristina Irwin, is hoping the ban goes through. 

Although she thinks all social media apps should be regulated, TikTok is a top concern for her given the trends she says put young users in danger.

President Joe Biden has said he will sign the bill if Congress passes it, although the Senate has unsuccessfully tried to pass a similar bill called the Restrict Act before.