•      "H.R. 7521 is censorship — plain and simple. In a purported attempt to protect the data of U.S. residents from Chinese government acquisition, this legislation would forbid app stores and internet hosting services from offering TikTok so long as the company remains under foreign ownership. Passing this legislation would trample on the constitutional right to freedom of speech of millions of people in the United States. TikTok is home to massive amounts of protected speech and association: it enables its users to discuss their opinions, share their hobbies, make art, and access news from down the street and around the world. Jeopardizing access to the platform jeopardizes access to free expression…Banning or requiring divestiture of TikTok would also set an alarming global precedent for excessive government control over social media platforms. The United States has rightfully condemned other countries when they have banned specific social media platforms, criticizing these efforts as infringing on the rights of their citizens. 4 If the United States now bans a foreign-owned platform, that will invite copycat measures by other countries, banning American-owned speech intermediaries and companies from operating in their borders, with significant consequences for free expression globally." Source: American Civil Liberties Union 

•    "Legislation like this would not be effective in protecting Americans’ data and privacy. Every Big Tech company, both foreign and domestic, mines and sells our data for their own profits. We need to focus on cracking down on surveillance capitalism and predatory algorithms that harm our kids. I, along with millions of others, especially young people, use TikTok as a place to interact with my community in a positive, uplifting way. We need to protect our young people’s right to free expression, and banning TikTok only silences their valuable voices. This is not about defending TikTok as a company, and we need strong regulation that applies to every social media platform in order to protect our data and our children." Source: Rep. Jamaal Bowman (Democrat, New York, District 16)

•    "Tomorrow, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill that will most likely lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States. I am voting no. Let’s be clear that I am deeply concerned about our foreign adversaries accessing our private data online, but this bill is not the comprehensive reform we need to reign in Big Tech and protect Americans from harm and manipulation. I refuse to spring a TikTok ban on my constituents who, under the neo-fascist control of Governor DeSantis, rely on social media for income, information, and community. This legislation is an infringement of our constitutional right to freedom of speech that also places a nearly impossible condition for the app to be sold within six months or less – it’s unrealistic. This bill does not solve our data privacy problems and harms innocent users whose very livelihood and existence is supported by this app. Count me out." Source: Rep. Maxwell Frost (Democrat, Florida, District 10)