Biden signs bill forcing TikTok to part with its Chinese parent company or face a national ban

TikTok condemns President Joe Biden’s “unconstitutional” recent law that forces the social media app to part ways with Chinese parent company ByteDance.

On Wednesday, April 24, Biden signed several controversial legal solutions, including sending billions in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and persuading TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social media platform or face a nationwide ban within the United States, CNBC reports.

“The way to my desk was difficult. It should have been easier and it should have happened sooner,” Biden said. “But in the end, we did what America always does: We got to the point.”

The law gives ByteDance nine months, or a yr sell TikTok if Biden asks for a 90-day extensionor face national ban. The popular social media application issued a statement in response to the law, accusing it of being unconstitutional.

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

“The fact is that we have invested billions of dollars to protect data in the US and to protect our platform from external influence and manipulation. This ban would devastate seven million businesses and silence 170 million Americans. As we continue to challenge this unconstitutional ban, we will continue to invest and innovate to ensure that TikTok remains a space where Americans of all backgrounds can safely come to share their experiences, find joy and be inspired.”

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew uploaded a video message through which he vowed to fight back from the “disappointing moment.”

“Make no mistake. This is a ban. A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice,” Chew said. “Politicians may claim otherwise, but don’t be fooled. Many of the people who sponsored this bill admit their ultimate goal is to ban Tiktok “.

Pointing out the irony of the brand new law, Chew criticized the hypocrisy of the US government working to ban an app that represents “the same American values ​​that make the United States a beacon of freedom.”

In addition to a possible ban on TikTok, the brand new law provides $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for security in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration also notes plans to use TikTok to reach voters as part of its 2024 re-election campaign.