TikTok Takes Legal Action Against US Ban, Asserts ByteDance Will Not Sell

In a bold move, TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are taking legal action against the recently signed bill by President Biden that could potentially ban the popular social media platform in the U.S. The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act gives TikTok nine months to separate from ByteDance or face removal from U.S. app stores, a move that TikTok claims is unconstitutional and effectively spells the end of the platform in the country by next year.

In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, TikTok argued that divesting from ByteDance within the required timeline is not feasible, citing commercial, technological, and legal challenges. The lawsuit also highlighted the impact of the bill, stating that it would force a shutdown of TikTok by January 19, 2025, silencing the 170 million Americans who use the platform for communication.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government, leading to increased regulatory scrutiny. Despite claims that American data is protected, reports have suggested that data is sometimes shared with ByteDance. TikTok’s rapid rise to popularity since its launch in the U.S. in 2018 has made it a dominant player in the social media landscape, with over 1.5 billion monthly active users worldwide.

As the legal battle unfolds, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew made headlines by being named an honorary chair at the prestigious Met Gala, underscoring the platform’s influence and reach in the digital age. Stay tuned as the fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance amidst legal and regulatory challenges.