‘The Facts and the Constitution Are on Our Side’ : TikTok Will File Court Challenge to U.S. Divest-or-Ban Law, CEO Says

As expected, TikTok said it will file a lawsuit seeking to block the U.S.’s legislation — set to be signed into law Wednesday by President Biden — that would ban the app unless its Chinese parent company divests its ownership stake.

In a video on TikTok, CEO Shou Zi Chew responded to the Senate’s passage of the bill Tuesday, as part of a package of foreign aid. He said TikTok will “keep fighting for your rights in the courts.”

“It’s obviously a disappointing moment but it does not need to be a defining one, ” he said. “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.”

“The facts and the Constitution are on our side, and we expect to prevail again,” Chew said.

TikTok has won legal victories challenging other laws in the U.S. seeking to ban the app. Last December, afederal judge blockedMontana’s first-of-its-kind statewide ban of TikTok, ruling that the law likely violated the First Amendment. An attempt by the Trump -

'It Worked': Glen Powell Admits ,...

administration toforce ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban also was found unconstitutionalby federal courts on First Amendment grounds.

TikTok said in a statement Wednesday, “This unconstitutional law is a TikTok ban, and we will challenge it in court. We believe the facts and the law are clearly on our side, and we will ultimately prevail. The fact is, we have invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside 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 investing and innovating to ensure TikTok remains a space where Americans of all walks of life can safely come to share their experiences, find joy and be inspired.”

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

More From Our Brands

ad To help keep your account secure, please log-in again. You are no longer onsite at your organization. Please log in. For assistance, contact your corporate administrator.

History Is a Shallow Grave in a Plaintiv,...