TikTok is raising concerns about a bill that would impose a possible U.S. ban on the app, the report said

TikTok, the short video hosting platform, has expressed concerns about the recent bill passed by the House of Representatives. Under the bill, Bytedance, the parent company of the video hosting platform, cannot sell its stake in TikTok within a year, risking a complete ban in the US.

The bill received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives and passed by a vote of 360 to 58. It now heads to the Senate and could be put to a vote soon, according to a Reuters report.

Lawmakers from both sides of the table, along with the Biden administration, have expressed concerns about TikTok’s potential impact on national security. The concerns are largely based on China pressuring the company to share data with its massive user base of 170 million Americans, which in turn could pose a significant risk to privacy and security.

“It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian aid to push through yet another ban bill that would trample the freedom of expression of 170 million Americans,” TikTok reportedly said in a statement.

Also earlier this year, the company had criticized the bill, saying it would ultimately “censor millions of Americans.” It further added that Montana’s state ban on TikTok was a violation of the First Amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union has also criticized the bill on freedom of speech grounds.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner stated that TikTok could serve as a tool for Chinese propaganda. He pointed out that many young people rely on TikTok for news, raising concerns about the platform’s potential influence and the spread of biased information.