- The law gives ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban, and it prevents app stores and hosting services from supporting the app.
- The White House is concerned about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and national security risks but doesn’t want a full ban.
- The lawsuits argue the law violates free speech rights, and the parties want a fast legal process.
The US Justice Department and TikTok have requested a US appeals court to expedite the review of legal challenges related to a new law requiring China-based ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets by January 19 or face a ban. The group, along with the Justice Department, is seeking a ruling by December 6 to seek review from the Supreme Court if necessary before the deadline.
A lawsuit challenges the law, threatening TikTok’s future
A group of TikTok creators and the app’s parent company, ByteDance, have filed separate lawsuits to block a new law that could lead to a ban on the popular social media platform in the United States. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, gives ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok or face a potential ban. It also prohibits app stores and internet hosting services from offering or supporting the TikTok app.
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National security concerns and the White House’s stance
The White House has expressed concerns about TikTok’s Chinese-based ownership, citing national security risks. However, the administration does not seek a complete ban on the app, which has around 170 million users in the US. The Justice Department has stated that the law addresses critical national security concerns while being consistent with the First A mendment and other constitutional limitations.
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Urgent legal battle and implications
Both the TikTok creators and ByteDance have argued that the law violates the First Amendment’s free speech protections. The Justice Department and the petitioners have requested a fast-track schedule for the legal challenges, emphasising the need for a prompt resolution. The outcome of these legal challenges will have significant implications for the future of TikTok and the broader landscape of social media regulation in the United States.
