TikTok Vows To Fight New US Law In Court: “This Is A Ban”, Don’t Make Mistake

TikTok has been a target of American authorities for years, and the recent legislation requires the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest within nine months or face exclusion from the American market. The US and other Western officials claim that TikTok enables Beijing to collect data and spy on its 170 million American users, many of whom are young. Critics also argue that TikTok serves as a vehicle for spreading propaganda, an allegation vehemently denied by China and the company.

The bill, which has secured strong bipartisan support, could lead to the rare step of barring a company from operating in the US market. It passed the Senate with a 79-18 vote, following clearance from the House of Representatives. Under this bill, ByteDance would have to sell the app or risk exclusion from Apple and Google’s app stores in the United States.

Chew, a spokesperson for TikTok, labeled the move “ironic” and emphasized that the platform’s commitment to freedom of expression mirrors American values. He reassured users that TikTok will continue to fight for their rights in the courts and expressed confidence in their staying power. Despite the vocal opposition from some figures, including Elon Musk, the legislation hints at the underlying objective of a TikTok ban.

The tension surrounding TikTok exemplifies the broader geopolitical and technological struggles between the US and China.