TikTok Faces Legal Battle Over US Ban
TikTok, the popular social media app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is set to face oral arguments in a federal appeals court on September 16th regarding a new rule that requires ByteDance to sell off TikTok’s US assets by January 19th to avoid being banned. The rule, signed by Vice President Joseph Biden on April 24th, has raised concerns about national security and the potential for China to gather information or spy on American users.
The lawsuit was filed by a group of TikTok app developers on May 14th, who believe that the ban would have a profound effect on American life. They argue that the app has become an integral part of American culture, with over 170 million users in the United States. The developers’ complaint is in response to a similar case brought forth by TikTok and ByteDance themselves.
While the fate of TikTok will ultimately be decided by the presidential election in 2024, the oral arguments in the appeals court will play a significant role. The Justice Department and TikTok are expected to submit their legal files by July 26th, with a verdict requested by December 6th to allow for a potential Supreme Court review if necessary.
The White House has expressed concerns about national security and has called for TikTok’s ownership to be terminated. The new rule prohibits application stores like Apple and Google from providing TikTok to customers, and internet hosting companies are not allowed to offer support unless ByteDance sells its ownership stake in the technology company.
The legislation gained overwhelming support in Congress due to fears of Chinese surveillance and data gathering. Politicians believe that China could potentially use TikTok as a tool to gather information about Americans. This concern was the primary reason for the bill’s approval.
In conclusion, TikTok’s legal battle over the US ban highlights the ongoing tensions between the United States and China regarding national security and data privacy. The outcome of the court case and the presidential election in 2024 will determine the future of the popular social media app in the United States.