TikTok CEO defiant as Biden administration signs off on ‘sell or ban’ law
President Joe Biden has signed off on a law requiring Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell the US branch of TikTok to an American owner or face a total ban. This started a 270-day countdown to get a deal in place. CEO Shou Chew (pictured), meanwhile, revealed that TikTok has no intention of acquiescing to that decision.
TikTok previously indicated it did not want to make such a sale. In fact, the Chinese government is resolutely against it. After all, such a sale would require it to release its algorithm, and it is precisely that algorithm that forms the basis of TikTok’s enormous success.
Ironically, China has been banning American applications for some time. Consider Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, which have long been banned, and recently WhatsApp and Threads.
Shortly after Joe Biden’s signing, Shou Chew shared a video criticising the new law.
“The law will take TikTok away from the 170 million American users who have found a community on our platform. Make no mistake, this is a ban, a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice,” he said.
“Many politicians have already admitted that a TikTok ban is the ultimate goal. It’s ironic because the freedom of speech on TikTok reflects the same values that make the United States a beacon of freedom. TikTok gives many people a powerful way to express themselves and be heard.
“Rest assured, we are not going away. We are confident and will continue to fight for your rights in court. We have the facts as well as the US Constitution on our side.”
So it looks like TikTok will head to court to challenge the new law and experts believe there is a chance the ‘sell or ban’ order will be suspended during the course of any legal action.
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