TikTok’s CEO vows to fight any potential ban on the social media app, urging users to “protect their constitutional rights” and vowing to launch a legal fight if the bill passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday becomes law .
In a video posted on Twitter/X, Shou Chew urged users to share their stories not only with friends and family, but also with senators. (The last time TikTok tried to mobilize its user base to pressure government officials, it backfired. House officials were inundated with calls from young people, many of whom couldn’t vote, and lawmakers said the episode was evidence that the company could quickly exploit mobile users to “interfere” with government activities.)
“This legislation, if signed into law, will lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States. Even the sponsors of the bill admit that this is their goal,” Chew said in the video. “We know how important TikTok is to all of you. … Protect your constitutional rights. Make your voice heard. I love you all.”
Chew said a ban on the platform would put 300,000 American jobs at risk and give more power to rival social media companies. And he has promised to use all means at his disposal to prevent a ban from being enacted.
“We will not stop fighting and supporting you,” Chew said in the video. “We will continue to do everything we can, including exercising our legal rights to protect this amazing platform we built with you.”
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act passed the House on Wednesday with broad bipartisan support. Its fate in the Senate is more questionable, although President Joe Biden has said he will sign the bill if it passes.
Donald Trump, who first called for the sale of TikTok to a US company and suggested a ban during the final year of his presidency, recently backtracked and echoed some of Chew’s comments, including that a banning TikTok would be beneficial for Meta, a US company. company with which he has had problems for years.