Will move forward with bill to block TikTok: says McCarthy

After backlash from Americans over the treatment TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew received when he testified before Congress, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Sunday that lawmakers will go ahead with legislation addressing national security concerns about TikTok.

“It’s very concerning that the CEO of TikTok can’t be honest and admit what we already know to be true–China has access to TikTok user data. The House will be moving forward with legislation to protect Americans from the technological tentacles of the Chinese Communist Party,” read McCarthy’s tweet.

The short-video app is owned by China-based ByteDance and there are growing security concerns as well as concerns over potential Chinese government influence on the company.

But a ban on the app could have a far-reaching impact, especially on the political front. TikTok boasts 150 million monthly users—45% of the US population—and several of them make a living through the app.

The majority of the app users do not support a ban.

The US House Energy and Commerce Committee grilled Chew for five hours on Thursday.