TikTok takes legal action against Biden administration to prevent potential U.S. ban from new law

TikTok and ByteDance Sue Justice Department Over Ban Threat

In a bold move, TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department over a new law that could effectively ban the popular social media app from the United States. The law, signed by President Biden last month, requires TikTok to sever ties with its China-based owner within a year or face being cut off from American users.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., argues that the law is unconstitutional as it violates the First Amendment rights of TikTok users in the U.S. by shutting down their access to the platform. TikTok and ByteDance are seeking to block Attorney General Merrick Garland from enforcing the measure.

The foreign aid package passed by Congress included a provision mandating ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok within a year. Failure to comply would result in TikTok losing access to app stores and web-hosting providers, effectively shutting out its 170 million U.S. users.

TikTok contends that the divestiture required by the law is not feasible within the given timeline and highlights the Chinese government’s opposition to selling the technology that powers TikTok’s popularity in the U.S. The company argues that the law would force a shutdown of TikTok by 2025, silencing millions of American users.

The legal battle between TikTok and the U.S. government underscores the growing concerns about the app’s ties to China and its potential threat to national security. Despite facing scrutiny, TikTok has vowed to challenge the law’s constitutionality and defend its platform’s integrity. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the future of TikTok in the United States.