The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has made a unanimous decision, with a 50-0 vote, mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok within 165 days to prevent its ban.

The bill, enjoying bipartisan support and White House backing, now heads to the House floor for a vote, with its Senate fate still undecided.

In retaliation, ByteDance and TikTok criticize the bill as a violation of First Amendment rights, impacting businesses and content creators. Efforts to rally TikTok users for opposition have been launched, despite the looming House vote and uncertain Senate support. Critics, including the ACLU and some Democrats, fear the bill’s implications for free speech and privacy, challenging the lawmakers’ grasp on the targeted technology.

Supporters argue the bill targets app ownership, not content, as a measure against foreign surveillance and influence. As the bill progresses, its potential to redefine digital platform regulation and address security concerns remains a central debate among legislators, tech companies, and civil rights organizations.