TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, expressed confidence on Wednesday in the company’s ability to overcome legal challenges against legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden, which threatens to ban the popular short video app in the United States.
In response to Biden signing the bill, Chew reassured TikTok users in a video message, stating, “Rest assured – we aren’t going anywhere.” He emphasized the company’s belief that the law, which gives China-based ByteDance 270 days to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets or face a ban, is unconstitutional and expressed optimism about prevailing in legal battles.
This move comes after former President Donald Trump’s attempts to ban TikTok and Chinese-owned WeChat in the United States were thwarted by the courts in 2020.
Chew reiterated that despite the new legislation, TikTok would continue its operations while challenging the restrictions imposed on it. The bill, driven by concerns among U.S. lawmakers regarding data privacy and national security, was passed by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
The ongoing conflict surrounding TikTok underscores the broader tensions between Washington and Beijing in the realm of technology and the internet. Recent actions, such as China’s directive to Apple to remove Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store, further exemplify this rift.
TikTok intends to challenge the legislation on First Amendment grounds, with support from its user base expected to take legal action as well. Notably, a U.S. judge in Montana previously blocked a state ban on TikTok, citing free speech protections.
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have voiced concerns about excessive government control over social media platforms and the global precedent that banning or requiring divestiture of TikTok could set.
However, legal experts suggest that the new legislation strengthens the Biden administration’s position to ban TikTok if ByteDance fails to comply with the divestiture requirements. Failure to divest could result in restrictions on app stores, including Apple and Google, from offering TikTok or providing web hosting services to ByteDance-controlled applications.
