Tiktok is set to launch legal proceedings against the Trump administration, for its “unfair” ban.
via Rollin Stone
The clock is ticking for TikTok and sensing that the Chinese video sharing platform is set to sue the Trump administration for what it believes to be “nonsensical” rumours of sharing of intelligence and data. The app boasts an impressive 80 million US users, most of whom are teenagers. The US government believes TikTok can impress upon ideas which are curbing the nations security.
However on the other side of the coin, TikTok says their hands are clean. TikTok says the firm tried to be in contact with the US government, regarding the transparency of their ties and contacts, however TikTok believes that the US government has not engaged in meaningful discussions and already function from their biases. "To ensure that the rule of law is not discarded and that our company and users are treated fairly, we have no choice but to challenge the executive order through the judicial system," a company spokesperson said.
However TikTok has seen the story before, as on June 29th TikTok was banned in India. The move was celebrated widely, with much fanfare going to the Modi led Government for a staunch response to Chinese aggressions. However, the move's detractors have illustrated such moves are only symbolic in nature. Yet, India’s suspicion of sharing and collecting of intelligence are not unfounded. Recent reports of telecommunication company Huawei, reveals the strong ties of the private government with the state, thus confirming the cause of security concern for a government.
The banning of TikTok by the Indian government, has reported to influence the decision of the Trump administration. Consequentially, for TikTok’s owner ByteDance, losing two of the biggest international markets in a span of 4 months spells danger.
Tiktok's fate by the Trump administrations, was sealed alongside WeChat a Chinese messaging company. The announcement of the ban and the period of 45 days given to TikTok by President Trump, aims to force the Chinese company to sell its US branch to an American tech company. Reports from Silicon Valley have suggested that Microsoft is eager to buy TikTok US branch, however the announcement of Oracle as a potential buyer came as a shock.
TikTok have plead not guilty of all the aspersions casted by the Trump administration, however with public opinion against them, a happy ending should not be expected by TikTok.