China says America is using "the logic of bandit" after the US Congress moved one step closer to banning Beijing-based video sharing app TikTok. China’s foreign ministry said the vote to ban the widely popular app is "contrary to the principles of fair competition and justice."
In a major bipartisan move, the House of Representatives passed by 352 to 65 votes the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
The bill, which seeks to control the ownership of foreign apps like TikTok in the US, now heads to the Senate for it to be sent to President Joe Biden to sign it into law.
Several lawmakers referred to the decision taken by India in 2020 to ban the app.
In 2020, India banned 59 Chinese-created apps, including TikTok, emphasising their priority to defend India's national security, said the office of Congressman Greg Murphy in a statement.
Lack of transparency from TikTok executives and their unwillingness to protect user privacy and information have also encouraged neighbouring governments like the European Union and Canada to prohibit the use of the application on government devices.
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