TikTok Threatens Legal Action Against US Ban

Uploaded on 2020-08-26 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, GOVERNMENT-National, FREE TO VIEW

President Trump has recently said he would ban Chinese-owned video app TikTok from the United States and in response, TikTok intends to take legal action against the US.  

The Trump administration claims that the App could pass data on US citizens back to the Chinese government. Since TikTok is one of the only recent social media startups to compete with tech giants like Facebook, weakening TikTok could further concentrate power among a few tech giants in the US.

The organisation said it was "shocked" by an executive order from the US President outlining the ban and TikTok said it would "pursue all remedies available" to "ensure the rule of law is not discarded".

A TikTok spokesperson told NBC News that the app helped to create jobs across the US and was committed to user privacy. “We’ve hired nearly 1,000 people to our US team this year alone, and are proud to be hiring another 10,000 employees into great paying jobs across the US,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Our $1 billion creator fund supports US creators who are building livelihoods from our platform.

“TikTok US user data is stored in the US, with strict controls on employee access,” the statement said. “TikTok’s biggest investors come from the US. We are committed to protecting our users’ privacy and safety as we continue working to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform.”

While this conditional ban on TikTok’s US business operations will likely face serious legal challenges, and it’s unclear how immediately enforceable it is, the order creates a serious challenge for TikTok, a wildly popular video streaming app with some 100 million US users. President Trump issued a similar order against China's WeChat in a major escalation in Washington's growing confrontation with the Chinese government. 

As well as WeChat, Tencent is also a leading gaming company and its investments include a 40% stake in Epic Games. The US  President has already threatened to ban TikTok in the US, citing national security concerns, and the company is now in talks to sell its American business to Microsoft. By Executive Order, they have until 15 September to reach a deal.  The executive orders against the short-video sharing platform and the messaging service WeChat are the latest measure in an increasingly broad Trump administration campaign against China.

The Trump administration claims that the Chinese government has access to user information gathered by TikTok, which the company has denied. 

Though TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is best known as a place where teens share short, often lighthearted musical videos, it has become the center of geopolitical controversy between the US and China over technological power.

For the established US social media giants Facebook and Google, the decision could significantly weaken their fiercest new competitor. A forced sale of TikTok could have negative consequences beyond the people running TikTok. The move threatens to jeopardise the success of an app that’s had a meteoric rise from a relative underdog to one of the most downloaded apps in the world.   

ByteDance:     BBC:        Independent:      Vogue:     CNBC:       Vox:   

You Might Also Read:

Hong Kongers Erase Their Digital Footprints:
 

« VPNs – Training and Access – both now available on CYRIN
Utah University Pays Half Million Dollar Ransom Demand »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA)

High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA)

HTCIA was formed to provide education and collaboration to our global members for the prevention and investigation of high tech crimes.

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

The Information Commissioner's Office is an independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest.

SK-CERT

SK-CERT

SK-CERT National Computer Computer Emergency Response Team of Slovakia.

StratoKey

StratoKey

StratoKey is an intelligent Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) that secures your cloud and SaaS applications against data breaches, so you can do secure and compliant business in the cloud.

Assuria

Assuria

Assuria Cyber Security solutions provide protective monitoring of systems and user activity across the whole IT infrastructure.

SenseOn

SenseOn

SenseOn’s multiple threat-detection senses work together to detect malicious activity across an organisation’s entire digital estate, covering the gaps that single point solutions create.

DQM GRC

DQM GRC

DQM GRC are one of the UK's leading providers of data governance, e-privacy and GDPR services, to commercial organisations across all industries in the UK.

OAS Chain

OAS Chain

OAS Blockchain Renaissance Project presents three platforms that address the major challenges of public blockchain, private blockchain, and IoT security.

International Association of Security Awareness Professionals (IASAP)

International Association of Security Awareness Professionals (IASAP)

IASAP provides a members-only virtual sharing platform where security awareness professionals engage in a lively, year-round exchange of information and ideas.

Bechtle

Bechtle

Bechtle is one of Europe’s leading IT service providers offering a blend of direct IT product sales and extensive systems integration services.

Cympire

Cympire

Cympire significantly increases an organisation’s Cyber Resilience through continuous Training and Assessment. Cyber Security Training Platform. Cloud-based and fully customizable Cyber Range.

Clarabot Nano

Clarabot Nano

Nano is the secure file sharing tool to improve content search, data access and collaboration between multiple parties.

ID North

ID North

ID North is a Nordic service provider offering identity security to its customers by providing world class expertise and best-in-class solutions and services.

National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) - Netherlands

National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) - Netherlands

The NCTV serves the Netherlands’ national security. We protect national interests, identify threats and strengthen resilience.

BJSS

BJSS

BJSS is an award-winning technology and engineering consultancy for business.

M7 Services

M7 Services

M7 Services are a comprehensive Managed Services Provider (MSP) with a focus on delivering cutting-edge information technology solutions and unparalleled customer service.