In response to the signing of a federal ban by President Joe Biden, TikTok CEO Shou Chew announced that the company will be taking legal action to remain operational in the United States. The ban includes a nine-month delay, allowing ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, the option to sell the app instead of facing a national ban.
In a two-minute video posted on TikTok’s main corporate account, Chew expressed confidence in the company’s ability to fight for its rights in court. He assured users that TikTok is not going anywhere and emphasized that they will continue to fight for their rights. The video received around 176,000 likes within an hour of being posted.
TikTok has had success in the court system when it comes to facing potential bans. In 2020, a federal judge blocked an attempt by former President Donald Trump to ban the app in the United States. More recently, in November, a federal judge ruled in favor of content creators who had sued to block a statewide ban on TikTok in Montana. The judge cited infringement on users’ constitutional rights as a reason for his decision.
The ongoing debate over TikTok’s future not only concerns free speech and social media but also tackles issues surrounding data security and content manipulation. Proponents of a ban raise concerns about Chinese ownership of the app potentially compromising user data security and enabling Chinese espionage. It is also suggested that China could pressure TikTok to promote its foreign policy objectives by influencing what users see.
TikTok has addressed these concerns by storing data in the United States and refuting claims of promoting propaganda. Despite this, Biden signed a $95 billion national security package into law which includes aid to countries like Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine. The outcome of TikTok’s legal battle to stay online in the United States remains uncertain.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns about data security and content manipulation associated with Chinese ownership of social media apps like TikTok, it is important for us as journalists to report on all sides of this complex issue accurately and fairly.
