The House of Representatives last week delivered a clear ultimatum to Chinese technology giant ByteDance: Sell TikTok to American owners or see it removed from U.S. app stores. This bold, bipartisan move signals a new chapter in the intensifying standoff between Washington and Beijing, with lawmakers aiming to protect U.S. national security while fostering technological innovation.

By a vote of 352-65, the House overwhelmingly approved the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which critics have mischaracterized as an outright ban on TikTok. In fact, the bill provides the popular app with a legal lifeline to continue thriving − provided that an American entity takes the reins, ensuring adherence to U.S. laws and regulations.

The House’s objective is to limit the Chinese government’s control over TikTok’s content and blunt Beijing’s access to sensitive American data. A forced sale to a U.S. company would curtail China’s ability to use TikTok to promote disinformation or meddle in the upcoming U.S. elections, real-world risks recently underscored by U.S. intelligence officials.

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