As expected, TikTok is fighting back. The popular social media platform is taking a stand against the U.S. government amid possible a possible block,
In a bold move, the company has filed a lawsuit to challenge a bill that was passed last month. As we previously reported, the bill aims to either force TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell the app or have it banned altogether.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, argues that the bill, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, infringes upon the constitutional right to free speech. TikTok argues that this legislation is an “unprecedented violation” of the First Amendment.
In its filing, TikTok states, “For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban,” TikTok wrote in the lawsuit, “and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide.”
TikTok goes on to argue that national security concerns alone are not sufficient grounds to restrict free speech.
RELATED:TikTok’s Parent Company ByteDance Says It Has No Plans To Sell Platform Amid Possible US Ban
RELATED:TikTok CEO Reacts To Law That Could Possibly Ban Platform In The US: ‘We Aren’t Going Anywhere’
So far, the Department of Justice has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
Anticipation for this legal action has been building since President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on April 24. This lawsuit is likely to further prolong the already extensive timeline for a potential ban or sale of the app. ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, has had over a year to make a decision. However, with legal proceedings now in motion, it could be years before any ban is implemented.
TikTok CEO expects to defeat US ban. He previously said in a video statement:
“Make no mistake: This is a ban. A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice,” he said. “Politicians may say otherwise, but don’t get confused. Many who sponsored the bill admit a TikTok ban is their ultimate goal. He continued, “Rest assured – we aren’t going anywhere. The facts and the Constitution are on our side and we expect to prevail again.”
However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted that the Biden administration does not view the bill as a TikTok ban. Instead, “We see this as a divestment, not a ban,” she said. “And it is important. This is another piece of our national security and protecting our national security, protecting American people … making sure that they don’t get exploited and that harm could be done.”
Either way it’s clear that TikTok is not backing down.
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