UPDATED: TikTok’s Time In Michigan Is Running Out, Possible Ban Imminent

UPDATED 3/13/24: The legislation discussed in this article has passed in the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, 352-65. It will now head to the Senate for a vote and further questioning. You can learn about what exactly is being voted on below.

ORIGINAL: TikTok has felt like it has been at death's door every other week after it erupted in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The app was banned in Montana for a time last year. The CEO of TikTok, Bytedance, appeared in front of a congressional panel to explain TikTok's business practices. I have had (multiple) meltdowns with my friends each time it seemed like things were over.

In the end, the talk of a ban has remained nothing more than that: talk. However, things are looking grim for the app after legislation unanimously passed yesterday that cleared the way for the app to be banned in the US.

What To Know

Unlike previous attempts to ban TikTok, this bill has sort of gone under the radar. The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed a bill that would result in a nationwide ban against TikTok on all devices and is now headed to the Senate for a vote. The creator of the bill, Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, claims this is not a ban:

It puts the choice squarely in the hands of TikTok to sever their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. As long as ByteDance no longer owns the company, TikTok can continue to survive.

This alternative is rather nonsensical and unrealistic. The source of the ban is founded in the belief that ByteDance, which a Chinese company owns, will collect and abuse data collected from American devices. There is no evidence of this, but this has not deterred lawmakers from trying to ban the app.

READ MORE: TikTok Artist Has “One More Moment Alive” After Song Charts Before Her Death

TikTok Will Not Go Quietly Into The Night

TikTok has taken it upon themselves to try and rally public support against the ban. Many users opened the app to a message urging them to contact their representatives to vote against the bill, and it appears to be working. The New York Times reports lawmakers' staff have been "overwhelmed by calls".

If you're one of the many many Michiganders who find themselves mindlessly scrolling on TikTok for hours on end, contact Michigan's repres. Here is how.