US congressional offices are inundated with calls from TikTok users concerning legislation that could lead to the app’s ban.
Callers vary from teenagers to the elderly, with many expressing confusion and stating they were prompted by TikTok itself.
According to a Republican staffer, most callers seem perplexed, citing TikTok’s instructions as their reason for calling.
Conversely, a Democratic staffer noted receiving aggressive and threatening calls primarily from adult women.
However, TikTok’s mobilization efforts seem to have backfired, fueling lawmakers’ concerns about the app and its parent company, ByteDance.
The bipartisan bill, endorsed by 20 lawmakers, proposes that ByteDance sell TikTok within six months or face removal from US app stores.
The legislation has progressed swiftly through Congress, garnering unanimous approval from a key committee, and is set for a vote in the full House.
TikTok’s attempt to mobilize users against the legislation appears to have intensified lawmakers’ resolve. Despite the app’s notification urging users to call their representatives, the effort has raised alarms among lawmakers.
Florida Congressman Neal Dunn’s office reported receiving over 900 calls, many from vulnerable school-aged children, validating concerns about TikTok’s influence.
The app’s alleged tactics, including geolocating American phones and barring access until users called Congress, only exacerbated lawmakers’ apprehensions.
TikTok denied such claims, emphasizing that users had multiple options to dismiss notifications.
Lawmakers have long expressed concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its potential threats to privacy and mental health.
Despite TikTok’s denials and its substantial user base in the US, lawmakers remain resolute in advancing the legislation.
While some lawmakers received calls expressing concern or seeking clarification, others encountered callers lacking a clear understanding of the issue.
South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson’s office, for instance, fielded calls from individuals ranging in age, some upset about the situation and others inquiring about the potential ban.
Ultimately, the deluge of calls from TikTok users has intensified the debate surrounding the legislation, highlighting concerns about the app’s influence and the need for regulatory action.
Source-BBC
