TikTok cautions that a U.S. ban would "infringe upon free speech."

TikTok raises concerns that a potential ban on its app in the U.S. would "infringe upon the free speech" of 170 million Americans.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Saturday to ban TikTok if its owner fails to sever ties with China. This decision was part of a broader U.S. foreign policy package, which also included aid for Ukraine and could be enacted into law as early as next week.

In recent months, U.S. officials have expressed worry over TikTok's popularity among young users, alleging that its owner, Bytedance, is subject to Beijing's influence - accusations that Bytedance has consistently denied.

The legislation regarding TikTok was included in a comprehensive package passed by lawmakers, allocating $61 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, as well as funds for Israel and Taiwan.

The House of Representatives voted decisively on TikTok's fate, with 360 to 58 in favor of the updated divestment or ban bill. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week, and President Joe Biden has indicated his intention to sign it into law.

Under the proposed legislation, Bytedance would have nine months to divest its stake - with a potential three-month extension during the divestment process - or face a ban. A TikTok spokesperson criticized the bill, stating it "would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate seven million businesses, and close a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy annually."

Bytedance has maintained that it is not an agent of the Chinese government, emphasizing its global ownership structure, with 60% owned by international investment firms. The company has also pointed out that three out of its five board members are American.

Despite these assertions, concerns persist in the U.S. about Beijing's influence over private companies and the data they possess. China has dismissed these concerns, characterizing them as American paranoia and warning of potential repercussions from a TikTok ban.

Since 2022, TikTok has routed all U.S. user data through Texas-based tech giant Oracle to address security concerns. The company has assured that U.S. data will be safeguarded and stored on Oracle servers within the country.

Republican Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a co-author of the bill, expressed a desire for TikTok to continue, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the app is not under the control of an adversarial country.