TikTok CEO, Shou Chew, has responded to the newly passed bill that could ban the social media app in the US. He said the legislation is unconstitutional and built on misinformation. Chew urged TikTok users to speak up and make their voices heard as the company prepares to exercise its legal rights.
TikTok will challenge the bill designed to ban the app in the US
US lawmakers have been mulling banning TikTok nationwide for the past few years. They see the platform as a national security threat because of its Chinese ties (parent company ByteDance is based in China). Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the firm potentially leaking user information to the Chinese government. Several US states and government agencies have already banned the app on official devices.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that, if passed into law, would force ByteDance to sell the US unit of TikTok or cease operations in the country within six months. Unsurprisingly, the firm doesn’t agree with the decision. TikTok’s global CEO came down hard on this “disappointing vote.” Chew said banning TikTok, which is the primary goal of the bill’s sponsors, would give more power to other social media platforms.
The TikTok CEO also tried to clarify the “misinformation” about the platform in a video addressed to US users. He reiterated what the company has been saying all this while, that the user data is safe and “free from outside manipulation.” According to Chew, TikTok currently has 170 million users in the US, including 7 million businesses. A nationwide ban on the app will put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk.
TikTok plans to fight and wants its users to help it. “We will not stop fighting and advocating for you and we will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights,” Chew said in the video posted to X. “We believe we can overcome this together.” He encouraged users to keep sharing their stories with friends, families, and senators. “Protect your constitutional rights. Make your voices heard. Love you all,” Chew signed off.
TikTok has challenged state-level legislation in the past
It has been a rough ride for TikTok in the US in recent years but the firm has held its own. The firm previously challenged state-level bans and won. A federal judge temporarily blocked the proposed statewide ban on the app in Montana last November. However, troubles keep mounting, making it more challenging for the company. It remains to be seen whether TikTok survives under ButeDance’s ownership in the US.
Our CEO Shou Chew’s response to the TikTok ban bill: pic.twitter.com/7AnDYOLD96
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) March 13, 2024