TikTok takes legal action against Biden administration to prevent ban in the US

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TikTok Fights Back Against US Government Over Ban Threat

The popular video-sharing app TikTok has taken a stand against the US government by filing a lawsuit challenging a law that would force its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. The law, signed by President Biden in April, aims to address concerns that China could access data or spy on Americans through the app.

TikTok and ByteDance argue that the law is unconstitutional and violates free speech protections for the app’s 170 million users in the US. They claim that selling the app is not feasible commercially, technologically, or legally, and that the law would effectively shut down TikTok by January 19, 2025.

This is not the first time TikTok has faced threats of a ban in the US. Former President Trump signed an executive order in 2020 to prohibit transactions with ByteDance, citing data collection concerns. However, federal judges blocked Trump’s attempts to ban the app, citing free speech concerns.

The potential ban of TikTok has raised alarm among small businesses that rely on the platform for marketing and revenue. More than seven million small business owners use TikTok, and many creators depend on the app to connect with customers and grow their brands.

As the legal battle unfolds, small business owners and international companies are anxiously watching the outcome, concerned about the impact a TikTok ban could have on their revenue streams and ability to engage with audiences in the US.