TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has pledged to challenge a newly signed US law aimed at forcing the popular app to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban in the American market. The legislation, included in a US$95 billion foreign aid package, accuses TikTok of being controlled by the Chinese government, raising concerns about data privacy and national security.
Chew condemned the move as a violation of freedom of expression, asserting that TikTok reflects American values. He promised to fight the ban in court, citing support from the facts and the Constitution. The legislation, passed with strong bipartisan support, gives the US president the authority to designate other apps as national security threats if controlled by hostile countries.
Despite FBI Director Christopher Wray’s claims that ByteDance is tied to the Chinese government, critics argue against the ban, including Elon Musk, who views it as contradictory to freedom of speech. The ban could lead to TikTok’s exclusion from major app stores, with potential buyers speculated to be Microsoft or Oracle.
The legal battle ahead underscores the contentious relationship between TikTok and US authorities, with ongoing concerns about data privacy and national security implications. As tensions escalate, the fate of TikTok’s operations in the United States hangs in the balance.
