US Senator Rand Paul has blocked a bid to fast-track a ban on the social media app TikTok, citing concerns about free speech and inconsistent treatment of social media companies. Republican Senator Josh Hawley had sought unanimous consent for a TikTok ban bill, alleging that the app was spying on people in the US. However, TikTok denies these allegations and says it has spent more than $1.5bn on rigorous data security efforts.
A small but growing number of both Democrats and Republicans have raised concerns about a TikTok ban, citing free speech and other issues, and have objected to legislation targeting TikTok as overly broad. Many Democrats argue that Congress should pass comprehensive privacy legislation covering all social media sites, not just TikTok. Senators Mark Warner, a Democrat, and Republican John Thune have proposed the RESTRICT Act to give the Commerce Department the power to impose restrictions up to and including banning TikTok and other technologies that pose national security risks. However, conservatives oppose the measure, arguing that it would give broad powers to the executive branch, with few checks, and would be abused.
