TikTok users could soon find that the popular social media service is either under new ownership or, although it wouldn't happen immediately, outright banned in the U.S.
The Senate late Tuesday passed a broad legislative package that delivers $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. The bill, which had already been approved in the House, also includes a provision that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S. if the popular platform's Chinese owner doesn't sell its stake within a year.
via: THR
Minutes later, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew responded with a video posted to the platform, declaring that “rest assured, we aren’t going anywhere.”
“Make no mistake, this is a ban, a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice,” Chew said. “Politicians may say otherwise. But don’t get confused.”
The legislation signed by Biden gives ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. It would also keep ByteDance from controlling TikTok’s algorithm, which is credited with helping the app rocket in popularity.
In his video, Chew suggests that freedom of speech will be the company’s argument against the ban, saying that the bill becoming law is “a disappointing moment, but it does not need to be a defining one.”
“It’s actually ironic because the freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom,” he continued. “TikTok gives everyday Americans a powerful way to be seen and heard.”
To that end, Chew also sought to reassure users that the app is not going anywhere anytime soon, and sought to rally its users to weigh in publicly on how important TikTok is to them:
“You still be able to enjoy TikTok like you always have, in fact, if you have a story about how TikTok impacts your life, we would love for you to share it to showcase exactly what we’re fighting for,” he said.
With the legislation now law, it is only a matter of time before TikTok sues to stop it, and the countdown clock has officially started. As of writing, barring a court-issued delay, ByteDance will have until January 24, 2025 to find a buyer, or risk having the app wiped away from U.S. users.
“We are confident, and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts,” Chew said in the video. “The facts and the Constitution are on our side and we expect to prevail.”
Its chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, said last month the company will continue to do all it can including exercising its “legal rights” to protect the platform.
Those of us with a critical logical brain knows that this has nothing to do with protecting the privicy of consumers, because if that was the case how come the government hasn't gone this hard on Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who are known to allow dangerous, racist, transphobic and homophobic commentary on their platforms?
We all know this is about the government trying to silence the younger generation who are exposing our current government for funding a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Many people make a living as content creators on TikTok, and if the government cared enough about the livelihood of their voters they would pay people a living wage, stop price gouging when it comes to renting an apartment or owning a home, and reduce the cost of food instead of putting so much energy into little ol' TikTok.