TikTok creators sue US government over ban threat
This is not the first time TikTok creators have taken legal action to protect the app. The ongoing legal battle echoes past disputes involving TikTok, including a similar lawsuit filed by the company and its parent company, ByteDance.
A group of TikTok creators has taken legal action against the US federal government over a law signed by President Joe Biden. The law would either require the divestiture of the popular short video app or potentially ban it altogether. TikTok creators argue that the app has become integral to American life, with 170 million users nationwide.
Among those suing are individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including a Marine Corps veteran, a woman selling cookies, a college coach, a hip-hop artist, and an advocate for sexual assault survivors. Despite their differences, they all believe TikTok provides a unique platform for self-expression and community-building.
The lawsuit, filed by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on behalf of the creators, alleges that the law infringes on free speech rights and threatens to eliminate an important communication medium. The White House has refrained from commenting on the matter, while the US Department of Justice asserts that the law addresses national security concerns while remaining within constitutional boundaries.
Why does it matter?
The ongoing legal battle echoes past disputes involving TikTok, including a similar lawsuit filed by the company and its parent company, ByteDance. Courts have previously intervened to block attempts to ban the app, citing concerns about free speech and constitutional rights.
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