A new bill that could potentially ban TikTok from all US phones and tablets is set for a vote by a key House committee on Thursday. The draft legislation, introduced with bipartisan support, would require TikTok to be spun off from its China-linked parent company, ByteDance, within 165 days. If not divested by that date, it would be illegal for app store operators such as Apple and Google to make it available for download. The bill also contemplates similar prohibitions for other apps "controlled by foreign adversary companies."

Lawmakers have long expressed concerns about TikTok's ties to the Chinese government, warning that user data could potentially be accessed by Beijing. The bill's sponsors insist that it is not about censoring speech but rather about addressing national security risks. However, the American Civil Liberties Union argues that the bill would implicate Americans' free speech rights.

TikTok, a platform that has become a stage for millions of users, is facing potential restrictions that could impact businesses and individuals who rely on the app for promotion and communication. Kim Pham, who uses TikTok to attract customers to her noodle company, expressed concern about the potential ban. Despite TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's assurances about data protection measures, the company is facing pressure to sever ties with ByteDance to alleviate national security concerns.

The legislation has the support of the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson, but its prospects in the Senate remain uncertain. Efforts to ban TikTok have faced legal challenges in the past, with a federal judge in Montana temporarily blocking a statewide ban on the app last year. The ongoing debate highlights the complex intersection of national security, free speech, and technological innovation in the digital age.