Republican Senator Rand Paul blocks bid to ban TikTok

Republican Senator Rand Paul has blocked a proposal to ban TikTok, a popular social media app used by over 150 million Americans. Paul cited concerns about free speech and unequal treatment of social media companies. He argued that the accusations of data gathering attributed to TikTok could also apply to domestic big tech companies. TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress last week and faced questions about national security concerns over the app, but denied any connection with the Communist Party of China and reiterated that TikTok remains a platform for free expression. The app faces a potential ban as U.S. lawmakers pursue a new law to regulate speech, but some Democrats and Republicans oppose the ban citing free speech and other issues. The Biden administration recently demanded that TikTok’s Chinese owners divest their stakes or face a U.S. ban.

Sources: CGTN