TikTok is standing up to Unites States! Remember when we shared ByteDance would rather close down TikTok in the US than sell it? Well, the popular video-sharing app is taking the U.S. government to court over a new law that wants to force its Chinese owner to sell it off or face a ban.
So, why all the drama? Well, TikTok is arguing that this law, called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, is stomping all over the First Amendment, which protects free speech. They’re saying it’s like trying to silence millions of voices just because of where the app comes from.
This legal battle kicked off when President Joe Biden put his signature on the bill last month. Now, the app has around nine months to find a new owner who isn’t Chinese, or face the boot from U.S. app stores and web services. But the owner, ByteDance, would rather shut down the app.
TikTok has been trying to play nice, though. They started “Project Texas” back in 2022 to tighten up on data security and be more transparent about what they’re scooping up from American users.
The United States is still worried about someone watching them from across and isn’t convinced yet.
