TikTok sues to block US law that could ban app
TikTok has taken legal action to prevent a US law that would effectively ban the app unless its Chinese parent company sells it. The company argues that the law violates free speech rights for itself and its 170 million American users. It contends that the concerns put forward by the US government to justify the law are speculative and has urged the court to intervene and stop it.
President Joe Biden signed the law last month, citing national security reasons. This move came after years of debate in Washington, with concerns raised about the risks associated with TikTok’s Chinese ownership, particularly regarding the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government or used for propaganda purposes.
TikTok maintains that it operates independently of the Chinese government, and its parent company, ByteDance, has stated it has no intentions of selling the business. The Chinese government has criticised the law, labelling it as US “bullying” of a foreign firm, and has indicated it would oppose any forced sale.
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During a briefing with reporters, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that the law is not a complete ban but rather a mandate for divestment. She referred further questions to the Department of Justice, which declined to comment on the matter.
According to the law, app stores would be prohibited from offering TikTok in the US starting in January 2025 unless ByteDance finds a buyer. President Biden has the authority to extend this deadline by 90 days if negotiations show progress. However, TikTok argues that the mandated sale within the stipulated timeline is impractical and unfairly targets the platform.
@tiktok Response to TikTok Ban Bill
TikTok points out that previous attempts to ban the platform, including those by former President Donald Trump, faced legal challenges. The company also highlights the inconsistency of security concerns, noting that many politicians, including President Biden, maintain accounts on the app, undermining claims of a security threat.
While the US has previously restricted foreign ownership of broadcast media, TikTok argues that its platform operates differently and should not be subject to government-mandated ownership changes. It emphasises that it has invested over $2 billion in measures to address US concerns, including implementing safeguards for US user data.