TikTok CEO expresses confidence amidst US ban threat: "We aren’t going anywhere"

TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, remains undeterred in the face of the recent legislative moves aimed at banning the popular short video app in the US, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden's signing of a bill, which mandates China-based ByteDance to divest TikTok's US assets within 270 days or face a ban, has ignited a legal battle that Chew believes TikTok will emerge victorious from.

Chew assured TikTok's massive user base, totalling 170 million Americans, that the company is here to stay.

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In a video message posted promptly after Biden's signing, he said, "Rest assured - we aren't going anywhere."

"The facts and the Constitution are on our side, and we expect to prevail again," Chew added.

Despite the deadline set for January 19, just a day before Biden's term expires, there is room for an extension of three months should ByteDance demonstrate significant progress.

The White House clarified that the concern lies not with a ban per se but with the ownership structure, particularly the ties to the People's Republic of China.

This legislative manoeuvre comes after attempts by the Trump administration to ban TikTok, which were met with legal challenges.

TikTok's determination to continue operating amidst these challenges is clear.

However, doubts linger regarding the feasibility of finding a suitable buyer for TikTok's assets and whether regulatory bodies in both China and the US would approve such a transaction.

The bill's passage through the US Senate and House of Representatives underlines bipartisan concerns regarding national security risks associated with Chinese-owned tech platforms.

Such concerns have increased conflicts between Washington and Beijing over control and access to user data.

The forthcoming legal battle is supposed to centre around First Amendment rights, with TikTok prepared to challenge the ban on constitutional grounds.

Past legal victories, such as a US judge's decision to block a state ban on TikTok, provide some precedent for this fight.

Despite the looming threat of a ban, TikTok's fate remains uncertain.

The new legislation grants the Biden administration stronger legal mechanisms to enforce a ban should ByteDance fail to comply with divestiture requirements.

Beyond the legal complexities, the bill's consequences extend to thousands of TikTok employees in the US.

Despite the political commotion surrounding TikTok, Biden's re-election campaign intends to maintain its presence on the platform.

In contrast, Trump's campaign has yet to embrace TikTok as a communication tool.

The legislative journey against TikTok dates back to 2022, when Biden signed off on restrictions barring US government employees from using the app on official devices.

This move laid the groundwork for subsequent legislative efforts aimed at curtailing TikTok's influence in the US.

(With inputs from Reuters)