WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleaded guilty to breaking US law by encouraging classified leaks, but maintains the law violates free speech rights. He will be deported to Australia after reaching a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, ending a years-long international legal battle stemming from the release of sensitive US documents in 2010 and 2011.
TikTok, a popular video-sharing app, has announced its intention to challenge a new US law requiring it to separate from its Chinese owners or face a ban in the country. The law, signed by President Joe Biden, gives TikTok a deadline of 270 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban. TikTok has expressed confidence in its ability to overturn the law in court, citing its success in doing so in 2020 when it faced a similar order from then-President Donald Trump. However, experts believe that the new law may pose a greater legal challenge, with the potential for national security concerns to outweigh free speech protections. Finding a buyer for TikTok may also prove difficult due to antitrust concerns, as potential buyers like Meta, Google, and Microsoft already hold significant market share in the social media industry. The law could potentially set a precedent for other Chinese companies operating in the US, leading to concerns about their future. TikTok’s competitors, such as Meta’s Reels and YouTube Shorts, are likely to benefit from any potential ban on TikTok, as they have been gaining popularity in the US market.
