TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has denounced the legislation that has paved the way for a complete ban on TikTok across the United States, saying the company will take it to court.
The bill, titled “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act”, was passed by the US Senate Wednesday and signed into law by President Joe Biden shortly after. Biden had categorically stated that he would approve the legislation while it was under progress. TikTok has roughly 170 million users across the US.
“Make no mistake, this is a ban — a ban on TikTok, and a ban on you and your voice,” said Chew in a video statement posted on TikTok’s official account on Wednesday. “Politicians may say otherwise, but don’t get confused. Many who sponsored the bill admit a TikTok ban is their ultimate goal.”
Terming the legislation “a disappointing moment”, Chew said the freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same values that make the US “a beacon of freedom”. The CEO said a number of people in the country have made the short-video platform a part of their daily lives as it has enabled them to express themselves in a “powerful way”.
“Rest assured, we aren’t going anywhere,” Chew declared. “We are confident and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts. The facts and the constitution are on our side, and we expect to prevail again.”
The legislation requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US stakes within 270 days or face a permanent nationwide ban. ByteDance, which is a Chinese company, has long been under intense regulatory pressure in the US, where several politicians have rallied against TikTok and called for a complete ban against it.
The concerns put forth by supporters of the ban so far are that TikTok, which is headquartered in Singapore and Los Angeles, might be manipulated by the Chinese government into handing over sensitive information of American users under national security laws in China (ByteDance is based in Beijing). TikTok will no longer be available in the US if ByteDance does not agree to the deal, as the app’s distribution will be blocked from app stores and web providers.
TikTok has repeatedly rejected reports that the platform is under the Chinese government’s influence, reiterating it will deny requests for data transfers, if there are any. “ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” CEO Chew had said at a congressional hearing in March 2023. The high-profile hearing marked Chew’s first appearance before US lawmakers, who questioned him about the company’s relations with the Chinese government.
TikTok has released several statements since reiterating that it fully protects data privacy of its users. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBR) — the leading US intelligence agency — claims the app could be used for “traditional espionage operations” by China.
TikTok has won notable legal battles aimed at its ban in the US before. In 2020, former president Donald Trump’s attempt to have the app banned nationwide was halted by a federal court. In December 2023, a law seeking a blockage against the app across the state of Montana was rejected, too. The legislation had been challenged by five content creators. The federal judge had stated that the Montana law infringed on the constitutional rights of users.
TikTok now has less than a year before the ban goes into effect, as CEO Chew has clearly rejected following through with the law’s divestment requirement in order to remain operational in the US. If the matter heads to court, there’s a possibility of a stretch.
