As expected, TikTok made good on its threat to sue president Donald Trump over his executive order issued two weeks ago banning U.S. firms from doing business with it -- and will do so this week.
The popular music video app, which belongs to Chinese firm ByteDance Ltd, said it decided to resort to legal measures to ensure the rule of law prevails and that TikTok and its users are treated fairly. It pointed out Trump's unwarranted action leaves it no choice but to challenge the executive order through the judicial system.
"Even though we strongly disagree with the Administration's concerns, for nearly a year we have sought to engage in good faith to provide a constructive solution," said a TikTok spokesperson. Instead of dialogue, what TikTok said it encountered was a lack of due process as the Trump administration paid no attention to facts and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses.
The latter allegation refers to Trump encouraging Microsoft Corporation to acquire TikTok. On Aug. 18, it was revealed Oracle Corporation is in talks with ByteDance to acquire TikTok.
While its sale is being discussed, TikTok said it's working to ensure its U.S. employees continue to get paid even if the app is banned in the country.
TikTok is popular among teens worldwide for allowing uers to easily share 60 second-long videos of song, dance, comedy and other features. It has more than 100 million users in the U.S. and 800 million active users worldwide. The TikTok app has been downloaded more than two billion times.
In his executive order issued August 6, Trump cited national security concerns to justify banning TikTok. His executive order will ban TikTok in 45 days if it isn't sold by ByteDance to an American firm. He also issued another order banning Chinese messaging app, WeChat.
Trump's order cites alleged violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act. It claims the spread in the U.S. of mobile apps developed and owned by companies in China are a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. They also threaten the U.S. economy. Trump insists the U.S. must action must be taken to remove the threat posed by one mobile application in particular, TikTok.
His order prohibits transactions by any person or property subject to U.S. jurisdiction with ByteDance or any of its subsidiaries after 45 days. The order alleges TikTok's access to user data will allow the Communist Party of China access to American's personal and proprietary information.
