Following the passage of a bill in the House of Representatives that could pave the way for a potential ban of TikTok in the United States, the platform has intensified its efforts to rally users in opposition to the legislation.
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TikTok Urges Users to Contact their Senators
TikTok has rolled out new in-app messages urging users to contact their senators and voice their concerns about the proposed ban, as reported first by Engadget.
This latest push comes just a day after the bill received approval in the House, marking TikTok's second attempt to mobilize its user base in response to the legislative threat.
Prior to the House vote, the platform had encouraged users to reach out to their representatives, resulting in a flood of calls to Congressional offices, predominantly from young users.
The new alerts are more explicit in their messaging, highlighting the potential consequences of a TikTok ban and urging users to take action. Emphasizing the impact on its 170 million American users, the notifications prompt users to call their senators and advocate against the ban, underscoring the importance of preserving creativity and community on the platform.
TikTok CEO Show Chew Tells Users to Defend Their Constitutional Rights
TikTok CEO Shou Chew has also addressed users directly, urging them to defend their constitutional rights in the face of the proposed legislation. Chew's video message, posted on X, reassures users of TikTok's commitment to fighting for the platform's survival, including exploring legal avenues to challenge the bill if enacted.
"We will not stop fighting and advocating for you. We will continue to do all we can including exercising our legal rights to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you," Chew said.
Expressing apprehensions about the bill's implications, Chew echoes concerns raised by its sponsors, warning of a potential ban on TikTok in the US.
The bipartisan legislation, titled the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," aims to compel ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its US operations or face removal from American app stores and web hosting services.
TikTok's approach in notifying its user base about the bill's ramifications has sparked controversy, with lawmakers criticizing the platform for perceived interference in the legislative process.
However, Chew argues against the ban, asserting that it would consolidate power among a handful of dominant social media entities, a sentiment previously echoed by former President Donald Trump.
Despite the bill's passage in the House with overwhelming support, advocates emphasize that the objective is not to eliminate TikTok but to address national security concerns surrounding Chinese access to American user data.
President Joe Biden's expressed willingness to sign the bill has bolstered its prospects, pending Senate deliberation on legal and free speech considerations.
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