Definat TikTok refuses to leave US market despite impending ban after Biden signs bill against Chinese firm

In a defiant message shared on TikTok, he said “Make no mistake, this is a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice.”  He further said that the irony is perhaps lost on the US government as the freedom of expression on the app “reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom.”

US House of Representatives legislators have passed a bill, mandating TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban in the US. The law requires the Chinese owner of TikTok, to sell the platform within nine months or risk a US ban.

The China-based firm said it would approach the court against the law and termed it “unconstitutional”.

“This unconstitutional law is a TikTok ban, and we will challenge it in court,” the company said. “We believe the facts and the law are clearly on our side, and we will ultimately prevail.”

Allegations of TikTok's alignment with Beijing's interests, including, that TikTok might share user data with the Chinese government have fuelled concerns among Western officials, despite the company's denial of such claims.

President Joe Biden's administration expressed strong support for the legislation, underscoring the importance of addressing these strategic and security concerns.

Furthermore, TikTok CEO Shou Chew said the US government’s decision is disappointing news for the company and referred to it as a ban on ‘freedom of expression’.

Bytedance emphasized that it has committed billions of dollars to ensure the security of US data and to maintain its platform's independence from external influence and manipulation.

Chew made it clear that the company would not leave the US market and fight against the law that requires it to break all links with ByteDance, its Chinese parent. “Rest assured, we aren’t going anywhere. We are confident and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts.”

President Biden has signed Biden signed the bill after it was almost unanimously passed by the US Senate. “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” was part of a batch of foreign aid bills and was ratified by the Senate on April 23.