As President Joe Biden approved a security bill that would compel TikTok's owner ByteDance to sell the platform, the social media company's CEO Shou Zi Chew responded by assuring that “we are not going anywhere.”
Following the bill becoming law, Chew uploaded a video on TikTok, stating “Let's be clear, this is a ban, a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice. Politicians may say differently. But don't be misled.”
Our CEO Shou Chew's response to the TikTok ban: pic.twitter.com/l0RAPJMobK
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) April 24, 2024
In the video, Chew argues that the ban goes against freedom of speech rights, and adds that the bill's signing is a “disappointing moment, but it does not need to be a defining one.”
“It’s actually ironic because the freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom,” Chew continued. “TikTok provides everyday Americans with a powerful way to be visible and heard.”
The bill signed by Biden grants ByteDance a nine-month period to sell TikTok, with a potential three-month extension if a sale is nearing completion. The law also bars ByteDance from controlling the platform’s sought-after algorithm, which many credit for the app's success.
TikTok previously urged users to contact their Congressional representatives to express their concerns about a potential ban, but the effort largely backfired, with representatives upset after being inundated with calls from users.
“We are confident, and we will continue to fight for your rights in the courts,” Chew stated in the video. “The facts and the Constitution are on our side and we anticipate success.”
