“If Americans, duly informed of the alleged risks of ‘covert’ content manipulation, choose to continue viewing content on TikTok with their eyes wide open, the First Amendment entrusts them with making that choice, free from the government’s censorship.”
The federal government has repeatedly claimed that ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok poses national security risks. And there is a potential for data manipulation and surveillance by the Chinese government.
ByteDance, however, has consistently denied these claims and reiterated that it has no intention of selling TikTok.
Political Context and Contradictions
The TikTok ban has ignited political controversy, especially given President Biden’s previous use of the platform during his re-election campaign. Biden’s continued reliance on TikTok this summer stands in stark contrast to his signing of the ban into law in April.
However, Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race has shifted the spotlight to Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated for his second term just one day after the ban’s implementation.
