TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have initiated legal action in U.S. federal court against a law signed by President Joe Biden. This law mandates the divestiture of TikTok or potentially its ban, and was signed on April 24.
The companies argue that the law violates several aspects of the U.S. Constitution, including the First Amendment's protections for free speech.
The law requires ByteDance to sell TikTok by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
According to the lawsuit, the companies assert that the divestiture is not feasible commercially, technologically, or legally. They claim that the law will result in the shutdown of TikTok by January 19, 2025, affecting the 170 million Americans who use the platform for communication.
While the White House aims to end Chinese-based ownership of TikTok on national security grounds, it has not advocated for a complete ban. T
he U.S. Justice Department has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
TikTok has taken proactive steps to address data security concerns, investing $2 billion in measures to protect the data of U.S. users.
The company has also agreed to a "shut-down option" that would allow the U.S. government to suspend TikTok in the United States if it fails to meet certain obligations.
The lawsuit is part of a broader conflict over internet and technology between the United States and China. The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain as the deadline for divestiture approaches, and questions about potential buyers and government approvals linger.