Hacker News Reader

Comment by bdw5204 | Hacker News Reader

It is concerning that this bill seemingly includes a very specific carve out for Yelp[0] which is not owned by China, Russia, Iran or North Korea as far as I'm aware. Sure seems like the bill probably does more than just crackdown on TikTok.

[0]: https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/17675409413787445...

View on HN

Yelp doesn't need a carve out. It seems like it is more likely a reference to apps like Baidu Maps, which is used by travelers from China. Baidu Maps was banned in India in 2020, but it would be excluded from a similar ban in the US due to that exclusion. It would also exclude Meituan from a ban, which is a Chinese alternative to Yelp.

Agreed, would be interested to hear why that was added in the first place.

Do you have a non-twitter link?

From the text of the bill[0]:

  (B) EXCLUSION.—The term “covered company” does not include an entity that operates a website, desktop application, mobile application, or augmented or immersive technology application whose primary purpose is to allow users to post product reviews, business reviews, or travel information and reviews.

[0]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7521...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com