Why TikTok App Bans Are Trending Across the US: Explained

A new bipartisan Senate proposal aimed in part at curbing Americans’ access to TikTok Inc.‘s popular social media app reflects growing concern across the US over perceived security risks associated with its Chinese ownership.

The federal legislation, introduced Tuesday by Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), would empower the US government to ban or force the sale of foreign-owned technologies, applications, software or e-commerce platforms that are deemed a threat to national security. It echoes a series of earlier local, state, and federal government restrictions on use of the app.

TikTok exploded in popularity during the Covid-19 ...