TikTok is starting to panic as the prospect of a total ban on the Chinese-owned app edges closer. 

On Thursday, users of the app received pop-up messages asking users to "stop a TikTok shutdown" by contacting their local representative and asking they vote against pending legislation that could ban the app entirely. 

"Call your representative now," it reads. "When you're connected say where you're from and tell them to vote NO on the TikTok ban." 

The bipartisan legislation, described as a measure to "protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications," was discussed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday.

If passed, it would require TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a complete ban across app stores in the United States. 

RIGHT NOW: as if @tiktok_us doesn’t already track all your activity, it’s asking users to put in their zip codes and contact their members of Congress out of concern about @HouseCommerce and @committeeonccp bill pic.twitter.com/Sh3hUScueY

— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) March 7, 2024

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who is sponsoring the legislation, accused the company of intimidation. 

“Today, it's about our bill and it's about intimidating members, but tomorrow it could be misinformation or lies about an election," he told reporters on Thursday. “In the carefully, narrowly focused bill we’ve come up with here, TikTok could live on and people could do whatever they want on it, provided there is that separation."

Mike Gallagher blasting TikTok efforts to lobby against the China select Cmte and E and C bill, accuses company of lying about the proposal.

“Today, it's about our bill and it's about intimidating members, but tomorrow it could be misinformation or lies about an election” pic.twitter.com/TCfRjw6Ebz

— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) March 7, 2024

In a statement on Wednesday, TikTok pushed back against claims that the legislation does not constitute an outright ban, indicating they have no plans on divesting from their Chinese ownership. 

"This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it," the statement read. "This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs."

Our statement on the latest TikTok legislation: This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it. This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they…

— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) March 5, 2024

Despite Joe Biden recently joining the app, the White House has indicated that it would support the legislation. There are, however, concerns among his advisers that the move could damage his reputation with young people. Yet even if he should pull his support, there is a possibility that he could be overriden by a Congressional supermajority. 

Meanwhile, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also pushed back against the idea that the legislation would mean banning the app altogether. 

"I would have to say, you know, we don’t see this as banning these apps — that’s not what this is — but by ensuring that their ownership isn’t in the hands of those who may do us harm," she explained. "This is about our national security, obviously, and this is what we’re focused on here."