The TikTok goes on the offensive and sues the US government on the new law that wants to force its Chinese parent, Bytedance, to sell the app in order not to ban the use of TikTok at national level. At lawsuit, TikTok reports that a forced sale "is not commercially, technologically or legally feasible“. TikTok also says that a possible ban in the US is unconstitutional.
“For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named platform to a permanent, nationwide ban and prohibits every American from participating in a single online community of more than 1 billion people worldwide", the company said in its lawsuit. "The TikTok ban is obviously unconstitutional“.
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TikTok has been in the crosshairs of the US in recent years, but now the threat of a ban is more serious than ever, with the government passing a bill to ban it. The controversy started back when the Donald Trump. The current president Joe Biden continues its war against TikTok, as it believes that the app's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has links with the Chinese government. For this reason, TikTok is considered threat for the national Security of the USA. It is believed that the company may transfer personal data of American users to the Chinese government.
TikTok, for its part, has repeatedly denied these accusations and has tried to address the concerns of the US government and has stressed that its popularity and its use by about half of the US population make it an essential platform for free expression.
The app is particularly popular with younger users and is generally one of the most popular platforms worldwide. Like any platform, it is used both for the simple entertainment of the public and for malicious purposes, such as dissemination of misinformation.
Critics worry that the popularity of the Application makes it possible political tool of the Chinese government. Some believe that the government could possibly use the video suggestion system to spread false information, sow discord and perhaps interfere in the US elections.
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However, according to TikTok's lawsuit against the US government, the concerns for the national Security are "speculative" and not covered by what the constitution provides.
The company also argued that the law requiring the sale of TikTok in view of the ban is also unconstitutional. According to the lawsuit, the law violates provisions against "unlawful occupation of private property without just compensation“.
TikTok also argued that its rights to equal protection, under the law, mean that banning it would require similar bans on other platforms.
Finally, TikTok is asking the court to rule that the law violates the US Constitution and to stop the US government from enforcing it.
Clearly, TikTok will not lay down their arms just like that. Already in March, when the sale bill was passed by the US House of Representatives, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shou Chew, published a Video, in which calling the Americans users to react.
The video had garnered millions of views and likes, as well as over 100,000 comments in less than 14 hours.
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Now, the popular platform has moved on to a formal lawsuit against the US government. If TikTok wins, it will confirm that the ban is unconstitutional.
In addition, TikTok's victory could set a precedent for other tech companies facing similar challenges in the United States, strengthening their position in the event of legal disputes with the Government.
Finally, there could be impact on international relations, as the decision could be interpreted as a rejection of the attempt by the government of USA limit China's influence in the technology sector.
Source : www.cnet.com
