TikTok banned in US
On Wednesday (Apr 24), the CEO of TikTok pledged to challenge in court a newly enacted US law that could lead to the app’s prohibition, amid accusations of Chinese government influence.
The law mandates TikTok to disassociate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance within nine months or face exclusion from the US market.
Allegations from US and Western authorities suggest that TikTok enables Beijing to gather user data and conduct surveillance, with its 170 million American users, many of whom are young, being at risk. Critics argue that TikTok serves as a platform for spreading propaganda, although China and the company vehemently deny these allegations.
In a TikTok video shortly after President Joe Biden signed the bill, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, described the legislation as a ban on both the app and its users, emphasizing that despite politicians’ claims, a TikTok prohibition is the underlying objective for many bill sponsors.
Chew labeled the move as “ironic,” highlighting that TikTok’s ethos of freedom of expression aligns with American values. Assuring users of the platform, Chew asserted their commitment to fighting for their rights through legal channels, citing factual support and constitutional backing.
The ban provision was part of a $95 billion foreign aid package, which included military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill, passing the Senate with a 79-18 vote following strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, could potentially lead to the rare measure of barring a company from operating in the US market.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government, cautioning that the parent company ByteDance is influenced by Beijing and poses risks to American technology through espionage and theft.
