TikTok is gearing up for a legal showdown following President Biden’s signing of a bipartisan bill compelling its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular video-sharing app or face a US ban.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew reassured users in a video message, asserting their determination to stay operational despite the new legislation. Chew emphasized their confidence in their position’s legality and commitment to challenging the restrictions in court.
Under the new law, ByteDance has 270 days to divest TikTok’s US assets, with a deadline set for January 19, extendable by three months if deemed necessary by President Biden.
TikTok’s defiance comes amidst concerns from US lawmakers about potential data access and surveillance by the Chinese government. The bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate and was later approved by the House, reflecting bipartisan support.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGe9PpJjF/
The ongoing struggle over TikTok underscores broader tensions between the US and China in the technology landscape. Recently, Apple faced pressure from China to remove Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store over national security concerns.
Despite being headquartered in Singapore, TikTok has repeatedly denied any influence or control by the Chinese government over its operations.
Chinese officials refrained from commenting directly on the new legislation, instead reiterating a previous statement urging the US to cease what they deemed unjust treatment of foreign companies.
TikTok emphasized its substantial investments in safeguarding US data and maintaining platform integrity, positioning its legal challenge on First Amendment grounds.
Legal battles over TikTok are not new. In November, a Montana judge blocked a state ban on TikTok, citing free speech protections.
Critics argue that the legislation could set a dangerous precedent for government overreach regulating social media platforms.
However, legal experts suggest that the new law gives the Biden administration more robust tools to address security concerns related to foreign-owned apps.
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden expressed concerns about potential First Amendment violations, highlighting the delicate balance the administration must strike in implementing the law.
Justin Hurwitz, a senior fellow at the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Competition, emphasized the courts’ role in determining the law’s effectiveness and its impact on free speech.
