This is one step closer to banning TikTok in the United States. American justice rejected the social network’s last appeal. TikTok is challenging a Congressional law that forces the social network to cut all ties with China.
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The law passed in Congress in April obliges the Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell its social network to an American buyer, otherwise TikTok would simply be banned in the United States. In its appeal, TikTok considered that this text violated the right to freedom of expression.
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But the judges of the Washington Court of Appeal ruled that the law was intended to remedy control by a non-American entity and the possible collection of data by Chinese authorities, but would not have an effect on the content posted on the social network. “ The government does not remove content or request certain types of content », Wrote the judges in their decision, published Friday, considering that there was therefore no risk of obstruction of freedom of expression. “ The contents could, in principle, remain the same after a transfer », Estimate the magistrates.
170 million users in the United States
The social network – 170 million users in the United States – has been in the sights of the American authorities for months. Elected officials suspect TikTok of acting covertly on behalf of China. The app is accused of being used to spy on or manipulate American citizens.
So after this new setback, ByteDance does not admit defeat. The group indicates that it will take the matter to the Supreme Court, although there is no guarantee that the Court will agree to examine the case.
But the social network could also count on strong support with Donald Trump who promised in June to “ save tiktok “. Problem is, the ban on the social network in the United States is due to come into force on January 19, one day before Donald Trump’s inauguration at the White House.
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