TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has declared the company’s intention to navigate the legal landscape in order to continue its operations in the United States. With a user base of 170 million, TikTok faces a significant hurdle as American President Joe Biden recently signed a bill mandating the cessation of TikTok’s operations in the country unless its parent company, Chinese firm ByteDance, sells the social network within 270 days.
Confidence in Legal Grounds
In response to the bill, Chew affirmed TikTok’s commitment to remaining in the US market, stating, “Rest assured, we are not going anywhere.” He expressed confidence in their legal position, citing the support of facts and the Constitution, and asserting their expectation to prevail once more. ByteDance is required to divest TikTok’s American assets by January 19, 2025, with the possibility of a three-month extension.
Political Dynamics
An intriguing aspect of the timeline is that President Biden’s term ends on January 20, 2025, potentially opening the door for former President Donald Trump to take office once more. Trump had previously attempted to ban TikTok during his presidency in 2020, along with Tencent’s WeChat service, but faced legal hurdles in doing so.
Leveraging Constitutional Protections
TikTok plans to contest the ban, leveraging the protections of the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which safeguard freedom of speech. Past legal rulings, such as a Montana court’s rejection of a local TikTok ban, have upheld this principle. It is anticipated that users may collectively challenge the ban, with the American Civil Liberties Union cautioning against setting a precedent of excessive government control over social media platforms.
Experts suggest that the newly approved bill strengthens the legal footing for a TikTok ban if ByteDance fails to comply, adds NIX Solutions. This could result in the removal of TikTok from official digital content stores and limitations on hosting services for ByteDance-controlled platforms, including other foreign apps deemed to threaten national security.
As developments unfold, we’ll keep you updated on TikTok’s legal battle to maintain its presence in the US market.