LIVE UPDATES
-RrxTdz0n9E.jpg "TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2023, in Washington, DC")
TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, expressed confidence on Wednesday in the social media company's ability to overcome legal hurdles posed by recent legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden.
The legislation, aimed at banning TikTok in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests its assets within 270 days, has stirred controversy within the tech community.
In a video statement released on his official TikTok account shortly after Biden signed the bill, Chew assured TikTok's users, stating, "Rest assured - we aren't going anywhere."
He emphasized the company's belief that they have legal grounds to challenge the legislation and expect to prevail. Chew reiterated TikTok's commitment to continuing operations while contesting the restrictions.
The legislation, signed by Biden, sets a deadline of January 19 for ByteDance to complete the divestiture, with a provision allowing for a three-month extension if deemed necessary by the president.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre clarified the administration's stance, expressing concerns over ownership by the People's Republic of China (PRC) but affirming that they do not seek a ban.
Former President Donald Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok, has weighed in on the issue, suggesting that Biden is advocating for a ban.
However, Chew dismissed this assertion, labelling the legislation as a ban and reiterating TikTok's determination to contest it.
Despite the legislative push, doubts linger regarding the feasibility of finding a suitable buyer for TikTok and securing approval from both Chinese and U.S. government agencies.
The bill's passage reflects ongoing apprehensions among U.S. lawmakers regarding data privacy and national security risks associated with Chinese ownership of tech companies.
The battle over TikTok underscores broader tensions between the United States and China in the realm of technology and internet governance. Recent actions by China, including the removal of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from Apple's App Store, further highlight the complex dynamics at play in this geopolitical rivalry.
