President Biden’s signing of a bill banning TikTok in the United States, unless it is sold to a US-based company, has sparked a legal battle between the social media platform and the US government. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has vowed to fight the ban in court, arguing that it violates the First Amendment.
Chew posted a video response on Wednesday, expressing his disappointment with the legislation and stating that TikTok will challenge the new law. He believes that the Constitution supports the company’s position and that they will prevail in court. The company plans to cite First Amendment rights, specifically freedom of expression, in their defense.
Chew also criticized the politicians behind the ban, accusing them of targeting TikTok because it is a Chinese-owned company and of trying to force their agenda on the American people. He believes that the ban goes against the will of the majority, who enjoy using the app.
The ban stems from privacy concerns raised by lawmakers, including the possibility of spying and the potential for Chinese propaganda to be disseminated to American users. Many US-based TikTok users have expressed their dismay at the ban, highlighting their affection for the platform.
The ban will take effect in approximately nine months, giving TikTok a limited window to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face removal from the US market. The outcome of TikTok’s legal challenge will determine the platform’s future in the United States.
