TikTok, the popular online video entertainment platform, and its parent company ByteDance have filed a legal challenge against the U.S. government to block a potential nationwide ban. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, contests a law that forces ByteDance to sell TikTok or face prohibition across the United States.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the ban into law last month after it was passed by both houses of Congress. The law, known as the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, gives ByteDance 270 days to divest TikTok to a non-Chinese buyer, with a possible 90-day extension if deemed necessary by the President.
In their petition, TikTok stated that Congress has taken an unprecedented step by singling out and banning a specific platform used by 170 million Americans. “For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban,” the company argued, emphasizing the constitutional issues at stake.
TikTok contends that the required divestiture is not feasible commercially, technologically, or legally. “There is no choice,” the company asserted, highlighting the challenges in meeting the demands of the Act to continue operating in the United States.
The move to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns due to its Chinese ownership, has faced widespread criticism. Observers both within and outside the United States have questioned the motivations behind the suppression of the app. Concerns have been raised about potential violations of constitutional rights and principles of fair competition.
This legal battle underscores the complex intersections of technology, international relations, and individual rights in the digital age. As TikTok and ByteDance seek to protect their platform and user base, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for global digital platforms operating under geopolitical scrutiny.
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TikTok, ByteDance sue U.S. government to block potential ban
cgtn.com
