US Senators To Introduce Bill Enabling Foreign Technology Products Ban, Including TikTok

Senator Mark Warner, will introduce a new technology law. (photo: Twitter @MarkWarner)

JAKARTA - Two United States senators plan to introduce legislation this week that aims to allow the government to "ban or ban" foreign technology products such as TikTok that are owned by Chinese companies. This was confirmed by Senator Mark Warner on Sunday, March 5.

Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said TikTok would be a "potential one" for review in the bill. The Democratic senator had this to say on Fox News Sunday.

The law comes at a time when TikTok is under increasing pressure over fears that data about US users could end up in the hands of the Chinese government.

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee voted on Wednesday, March 1 to give President Joe Biden powers to ban TikTok, in what will be the most extensive US restrictions on any social media app.

The White House last week gave government agencies 30 days to ensure that TikTok is not present on any federal devices and systems. More than 30 US states, Canadian policy institutes, and the European Union have also banned TikTok from loading onto state-owned devices.

Warner said he was concerned that TikTok "could become a propaganda tool" based on the type of videos submitted to users.

He said the legislation planned to be introduced "would say, in terms of foreign technology coming into America, we have to have a systematic approach to make sure we can ban or ban it if needed."

Reuters reported, Warner said he plans to introduce the legislation this week with Republican Senator John Thune. A spokesperson for Warner said they hoped to make an announcement on Tuesday.

Details about the proposed law were not available last week. A spokesperson for Thune did not immediately respond to questions about the plans.