Senator Ted Cruz is one in all a handful of U.S. lawmakers preparing a recent attack on TikTok – and Apple and Google could also be joining the plans, On The Money sources say.
While some TikTok bans have been denounced as a “patriotic bill” for the digital age, the Texas Republican goals to introduce laws that can put Apple and Google on their feet – and ban tech giants from selling or operating devices that allow TikTok.
Along with Cruz, US Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.), who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is preparing an identical bill, and others could also be within the works, sources say.
Cruz desires to depend on “Apple and Google … to update the software and never allow TikTok,” in line with a source briefed on the regulations, noting that Cruz and lawmakers seem like working on their bills individually, although they’re aware of one another’s efforts.
Cruz and McMorris-Rodgers declined to comment.
There are already many bills in Congress to place an end to TikTok within the US.
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Meanwhile, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte’s decision to ban the app last week can have helped Congress get back into motion and may very well be a key step towards a nationwide ban, sources say.
“The undeniable fact that Montana has crossed the road opens the door for other states to push it through. It only took a number of states to push through a federal ban,” a source lobbying against the bill told On The Money.
“The undeniable fact that it passed because it is, with no clipping signal, means you possibly can principally copy and paste the identical recipes.”
While the law may very well be overturned, these folks say damage to TikTok has already been done.
“If that does not work, one other state will find one other law to pass. TikTok could take Montana’s bill, but the fact is that one other state like Florida might provide you with a creative approach to go after TikTok,” a source told The Post.
“TikTok must make the proper game to win this, but individuals who wish to ban it just need one killing shot,” the source added.
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States like Texas, Utah and Alabama were the primary to ban TikTok on government devices.
After enough states banned it, the federal government decided to dam the app on government devices as well.
Nonetheless, some sources note that the legal basis is more uncertain for a nationwide ban versus a federal device ban.
Montana’s ban prohibits TikTok from operating within the state and makes Google or Apple barred from carrying the app. Just days later, TikTok sued Montana, arguing that the state’s ban was illegal and violated each the First Amendment and constitutional protections for interstate commerce.
“There is a wait-and-see attitude in Congress,” one other political source told The Post.
“But it could possibly give them cover… and help people see the momentum.”
The state ban is also an excellent opportunity for people to experience life without TikTok, one other source noted.
“Once people understand it’s not the tip of the world, it takes lots of TIkTok talking points,” notes one other insider.
Others are more cautious: “Every part is a step … but I might not give a eulogy yet.”
“Montana is one other indication that the tide is moving away from TikTok,” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told On The Money. “Trajectory is against TikTok.”