TikTok's CEO Speaks Out Against Potential Ban
The CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, warned a potential ban of the app in the U.S. would cost creators and small businesses billions of dollars.
This statement came as the House passed a bill requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app's American division within six months or face prohibition.
During his visit to Washington DC, Chew expressed TikTok's readiness to legally challenge a ban, highlighting the overwhelming House vote (352-65) supporting the bill. However, the bill's fate is less certain in the Senate, with differing opinions on how to address security issues linked to foreign-owned apps.
President Biden is expected to sign the bill if passed. National security concerns have been raised, including by White House adviser Jake Sullivan, questioning whether TikTok should have American or Chinese ownership and where data should be stored.
Former President Trump has voiced his opposition to a ban, suggesting it would benefit Facebook, a rival platform. He had previously attempted to ban TikTok and WeChat, which was later retracted.
U.S. agencies like the FBI and FCC have raised alarms that ByteDance could share sensitive user information with China's government. TikTok has consistently denied these allegations. Meanwhile, China's Foreign Ministry has criticized the U.S. legislative actions against TikTok, stating there's no evidence of the app posing a national security threat.
During his visit to Washington DC, Chew expressed TikTok's readiness to legally challenge a ban, highlighting the overwhelming House vote (352-65) supporting the bill. However, the bill's fate is less certain in the Senate, with differing opinions on how to address security issues linked to foreign-owned apps.
President Biden is expected to sign the bill if passed. National security concerns have been raised, including by White House adviser Jake Sullivan, questioning whether TikTok should have American or Chinese ownership and where data should be stored.
Former President Trump has voiced his opposition to a ban, suggesting it would benefit Facebook, a rival platform. He had previously attempted to ban TikTok and WeChat, which was later retracted.
U.S. agencies like the FBI and FCC have raised alarms that ByteDance could share sensitive user information with China's government. TikTok has consistently denied these allegations. Meanwhile, China's Foreign Ministry has criticized the U.S. legislative actions against TikTok, stating there's no evidence of the app posing a national security threat.