TikTok is gearing up for a legal showdown against what it deems an “unconstitutional” move by the United States to force its sale or face a ban. President Biden recently enacted a law giving ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, nine months to divest its ownership of the app or risk being blocked in the US.
The legislation stems from concerns over potential data sharing between TikTok and the Chinese government, allegations consistently denied by the platform. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, affirmed the company’s resolve to challenge the law in court, asserting, “The facts, and the Constitution, are on our side.”
In a video message shared on the platform, Chew criticized the bill, labeling it a ban on TikTok and its users’ voices. TikTok further emphasized its stance, stating that it firmly believes both “the facts and the law” support its position. The company highlighted its substantial investments in data security and efforts to maintain independence from external influence.
The legislation, bundled with other bills, including military aid for several nations, garnered widespread support in Congress. Senator Marco Rubio, among its proponents, described the move as necessary to counter Chinese control over a popular American app.
However, legal experts caution that the process could be protracted, potentially spanning several years and facing challenges up to the Supreme Court. Previous attempts to ban TikTok within the US have been met with legal obstacles, underscoring the complexities involved.
The app’s popularity, especially among young Americans, presents another hurdle. With approximately two-thirds of American youth having a TikTok presence, questions of freedom of speech and expression come to the fore. Experts note that any potential sale of TikTok would attract significant regulatory scrutiny and pose challenges regarding its operational continuity and ownership.
As the legal battle looms, TikTok users in the US brace for uncertainty, with livelihoods of content creators and businesses hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, in Europe, TikTok has agreed to suspend its rewards program following concerns raised by European authorities over its impact, particularly on children.
The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with legal battles and regulatory scrutiny shaping the path forward for the popular social media platform.
