TikTok Begins Appeal to Avoid Sale or Ban in the U.S.

TikTok is set to argue its case starting Monday against a U.S. law that would ban the popular social media app unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells it within nine months. The law, signed by President Biden in April, stems from concerns about potential data exploitation by the Chinese government. However, TikTok and ByteDance have consistently denied any links to Chinese authorities, labeling the law as an “extraordinary intrusion on free speech rights.”

TikTok, boasting over 170 million U.S. users, will present its arguments to a three-judge panel in Washington, D.C.’s appeals court. As part of its defense, the company has submitted an amicus brief, a document from a non-party with vested interest in the case, providing information and expertise in hopes of influencing the outcome.

TikTok’s lawyer, Mr. Wang, criticized U.S. lawmakers for not clearly defining the specific national security threats TikTok allegedly poses. He noted, “We can’t think of any previous instance in which such a broad restriction on First Amendment rights was found to be constitutional on the basis of evidence that wasn’t disclosed.”

While courts often defer to the president on national security matters, TikTok’s legal challenge could continue for months or even longer, regardless of the appeals court’s initial ruling.