TikTok claims that a ban on its platform in the United States violates free expression and harms American businesses.
The social media platform made this point on Sunday (April 21), one day after the House of Representatives passed legislation that would make TikTok illegal in the United States if the company’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, does not divest its interest within a year.
“It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually,” the company said in a statement sent to PYMNTS.
The bill passed the House when Republicans incorporated the TikTok ban into a larger foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel. An earlier version of the law passed in March, with backers claiming national security reasons, but the proposal stuck in the Senate.
According to a story published Saturday by The Associated Press (AP), even if the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law by President Joe Biden, TikTok will not disappear instantly. ByteDance has nine months to sell, with an additional three months conceivable if a sale is in the works.
TikTok has stated that it intends to contest the law in court on First Amendment grounds, which could prolong the process even further.
Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, voted against the bill and told the Associated Press that he believes there could have been ways to target TikTok without jeopardizing free expression.
“I don’t think it will be well received,” Khanna remarked. “It’s a sign of the Beltway being out of touch with where voters are.”
As PYMNTS reported earlier this month, the fear of a ban has not deterred brands from using TikTok’s large viewership of younger customers to drive engagement and sales.
“TikTok users tend to be highly engaged with the platform, spending significant amounts of time watching and interacting with content,” according to the survey. “This high level of engagement can increase the visibility of branded content and help brands connect with their target audience in a more meaningful way.”
In addition, the app features a thriving community of influencers with big and dedicated followings. Working with these influencers can help brands better connect with their target audience and gain credibility and trust from potential customers.