WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S. won a major boost late Wednesday when House Republican leaders included it in a package of bills that would send aid to Ukraine and Israel.

The bill could be law as soon as next week if Congress moves quickly.

The TikTok legislation, which passed the House in March, was included in the House foreign policy package after negotiations with the Senate over how long the Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd. would have to sell its stake for the app to continue operating in the United States. President Joe Biden has said he would sign the TikTok legislation if it reaches his desk.

The bill's creation stems from concerns over the use of personal data collected by TikTok.

To date, the U.S. government has not provided evidence that shows TikTok shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government, or that Chinese authorities have tinkered with the company’s popular algorithm, which influences what Americans see.

If it passes, TikTok will have nine months to be sold with an additional three-month extension if a sale is in progress.

Follow NEWSnet on Facebook and X platform to get our headlines in your social feeds.

Copyright 2024 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.